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The Hafler Trio, "Exactly As I Do"
This is the second album in a series of three in which McKenziecollaborates with Jónsi Birgisson of Sigur Rós. The double CD comes inthe same style of package as the other Hafler Trio voice series, eachrelease consists of music made entirely from the voice of oneindividual (Blixa Bargeld and David Tibet being the othercollaborations).
The "sleeve notes" consist of a very dense abstracttext printed with no discernable order or reason. The paper used seemsa step down from the other releases (which were all released ondifferent labels), it seems flimsy and cheap. Not to worry, the musicitself is incredible. Shorter than Exactly As I Say, Exactly As I Dohits with a more powerful punch. There is far more going on here thanon the first release. The first disc "ASIS" consists of dozens ofBirgissons processed in various ways. A steady babble provides thebackbone of the piece and as it progresses the babbling become muchmore synchronised and form a choir-like sound. Over this there areghostly calls and sighs moving in and out. The second disc "SHAKTIPAT"is a different kettle of fish. It is much more slowly paced and breedsa menacing atmosphere. The first few minutes being a rumbling, echoingnoise not unlike sound effects from Das Boot. As the pieceprogresses the rumble fades out and returns more intensely with a hostof voices. Only at certain times can you actually recognise any of thevoices as being Jónsi, quite an achievement considering how distincthis voice is. Following the instructions included with the album Iplayed this at high volume and this is when it shined. The sound isrichly textured and depending on your position compared to the speakersit has a different effect and undertones. On "ASIS" there is a deep lowfrequency hum inaudible at lower volumes but played loudly it fills outthe mix perfectly. Played low it sounded a touch too heavy handed onthe upper frequencies. On "SHAKTIPAT," at times the high volumes causethe room to shake, providing a beat as the furniture rattles. Elsewhereon the same disc the sound is so low that high volume is essential.This is the best release so far in the voice series and possibly thebest Hafler Trio release from the surge of releases from the last yearor so.
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