Asher – Intervals -CD – TheLandOF

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Asher – Intervals

With an ever growing catalogue of works behind him, Asher is now one of a steadily growing army of refreshingly original sound-workers whose work infuses the catalogues of labels such as Con-V, leerraum[ ], Mystery Sea, Term, and others.

Intervals explores and investigates our perceptions of time through a series of 39 highly restrained, and minutely wrought pieces. We are advised to listen to the collection in “random shuffle” mode, in order to plunge ourselves into a sequence of diverse and evolving soundscapes, providing us with endless permutations of the same atmospheres. This is not unlike the aural equivalent of an experimental Ballard or Burroughs novel, whereby the audience expectations are actively short-circuited- the piece can be entered from any point, and disjunctions and discontinuities are actively encouraged. Here audience becomes editor, but more importantly, we also become the closing link of the composition, completing a cycle of events initiated by its composer.

The source recordings for this work represent atmospheres culled from the inside and the outside of Goddard College, Plainfield Vermont, although the location here is not of any intrinsic importance. What is important is that we are suspended in between external and internal moments – the “intervals” of the title, fused and frozen memories that are simultaneously familiar, yet slightly unsettling. Combined with the refreshingly delcious day-glo cover , with explicit and well constructed sleeve notes, this is possibly one of my favourite releases of the year so far..not a cliché, nor hint of plagiarism in sight..an artist and label that I for one, will be watching closely. Sound art of the highest order. BGN