May 18, 2005

Freiband "Flying"

A fascinating, unique concept, this. Freiband is the project of Dutch experimental composer Frans de Waard, and with Flying, he has taken the liberty of manipulating the Beatles' psychedelic instrumental "Flying." Over eight sections, this twenty-minute piece turns a very familiar song into something completely unrecognizable. It's a wash of static, drone and radio waves, not unlike Wolf Eyes and Black Dice. Distortion and sonic manipulation is the name of the game, and this piece is, at times, soothing, confusing and somewhat disturbing. Overall it's a mellow affair, but it's mellow in an outer-space combat to the death sort of way. Still, fascinating is fascinating, and this little record (a 3" CD, with beautiful packaging) is quite intriguing.

--Joseph Kyle

Label Website: http://www.scarcelight.org

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