He Can Jog – a nifty little anagram of John Cage, perhaps takes some of its influence from the Great Man in terms of innovative solutions and skewed approaches. This is a charming, engaging little piece that invites instant comparisons to Brit minimalist composers, The Boats, or Mole Harness. U.S based Erik Schoster is the personality behind He Can Jog, and on Middlemarch, we see him inviting a cluster of musicians to augment and filter through his works. Most prominent are the cut and paste-type pieces that use fractured harmonies, and layered beats and blips. There are a variety of solutions on display here, that echo a truly post modern canvas, covering everything from the dripping melancholia of “Agnes (after woodland pattern)”, with its soothing harmonics and lilting loops, to the itchy minimalism of “Pan – Fried Fern”.” “Contractors and Architects” is essentially a mini pop melody, infused with vocals from Nick Sanborn, and has an infectious, bubbly refrain, with little of the rest of the album’s cut and slice approach.
Throughout the collection, there are various surreal interruptions and interventions, oddly placed narratives, and words appearing as if from nowhere, that locate themselves outside of the pieces, yet somehow cohere with it at the same time. Non-linearity is the order of the day, with each narrative being spliced and grafted onto other elements in an unsettling, but highly engaging assemblage. To use the word “collage” would perhaps be a little trite, but this is indeed a fresh and expertly crafted CD that takes digital composition to some kind of logical extreme. If this is the future of modern composition, then count me in, and once again, Audiobulb asserts itself as a highly intelligent, innovative promoter of the digital (and post –digital) aesthetic.BGN
About whiteline1
WHITE_LINE was set up three years ago, in order to play and promote the work of artists and musicians working under the banner of "minimalism", in all its many guises. This has led to a regular and highly successful mix slot on the Garden of Earthly Delights radio show in the UK, and guest appearances on Resonance FM (frequenzen show). We now aim to extend the remit of the mix slots by reviewing (as often as possible) material that encapsulates and crystallises the minimalist ethic, and hopefully we'll be leading artists and audiences alike towards a deeper appreciation of this and other marginalised genres. I welcome your comments, and criticisms, and would love to hear from labels and artists who would like their work showcased on the show, or reviewed here. We regret that due to time constraints, we cannot review everything that is sent to us, but will endeavour to give exceptional work an "honourable mention" at the very least, and links to quality sites that we think worthy of mentioning.
I am trying to support labels and artists as much as possible by promoting their work, not least because I am a stereotypical "struggling artist" myself, but also because there are so few younger artists entering this particular scene, and there is a danger of it becoming the sole domain of a handful of forty somethings who really ought to be doing something better with their time!
Having worked for most of the more reputable underground magazines in the early 90's, I was never afforded the luxury of taking time and care over reviews, as deadlines and column space were always hanging like the sword of Damocles over me. With WHITE_LINE, I have the luxury of being able to review when I have time, and I am receptive to a particular mood, and hopefully this will reflect in the quality and length of some of the reviews. If you like what you see, please link to me to encourage more traffic through the site, and cross promote whatever is happening out there.
Address for promotional material:
45 Drovers Walk
Spring Park, Kingsthorpe
Northampton
NN2 8BB
UK
WHITE_LINE - promoting minimalism internationally 