|
|
LARSEN - SeieS
imprec083 - CD - $11.99 
Following Larsen's critically and comercially (relatively, of course) successful
full length Play on Important we bring you SeieS. This full length
is housed in a deluxe Important Records cardboard gatefold sleeve
printed on matte paper to look almost as good as it sounds.
We have no idea of what the title of the new Larsen album means.
Things concerning these four from Torino (Italy) are always kind
of elusive, anyways. SeieS is Larsen's fifth full length and work
on it began when they were recording Play for Important. However,
where Play was Larsen's most orchestrated-ambient work so far, SeieS
tends to be quite a bit more song oriented. If the palindrome title
suggests that this is an album with two opposite souls then the
truth lies in the albums dichotomized sounds. Tracks like The Snow,
Haula and Marzia are Larsen's most sinister (and recent) compositions,
disturbing soundscapes that would fit very well a David Lynch movie.
Marzia catches Larsen experimenting with slow industrial-dub rhythm,
side to side with the master of gloomy ambient and soundtracks Brian
Williams a.k.a Lustmord.
The remaining tracks of SeieS were the first recorded for this album
and, conversely, sport light and releasing moods within the "classical"
droning sound of the band. These tracks feature female vocals thanks
to the the ex-Swans chanteuse Jarboe. Also outstanding on SeieS
is the work of Larsen's beloved cello player and long time collaborator
Julia Kent (of Antony and The Johnsons), contributing substantially
to Larsen's hypnotizing sound.
-This is Larsen's 2nd full length album for Important Records.
- Before signing to Important, Larsen was on Michael Gira's (Swans/Angels
Of Light) Young God label.
- SeieS contains contributions from Jarboe, Lustmord and Julia Kent
who also plays in Antony & The Johnsons.
- Larsen's previous release, the HMKE ep contained remixes from
the Norweigan super-producer Deathprod as well as Oragami Galaktika
BIO
LARSEN was formed in 1993 in Torino, Italy. A debut album, No Arms,
No legs: Identification Problems produced by Martin Bisi (Brian
Eno, Sonic Youth, White Zombie, Swans, Dresden Dolls and many many
others) was released in 1997. Their second album REVER was produced
by Michael Gira (Swans, Angels Of Light) and came out in 2002 on
Gira’s Young God label, garnering them considerable critical
acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. England prestigious music
journal The Wire said: "...they center their songs around the
dynamics of multiple guitars, which may erupt in buzzsaw staccato
and then glide into sublime arpeggiated chords..."
Despite pursuing a self-imposed professional anonymity Larsen have
toured Europe extensively, appearing on bills with Neurosis, Breach
and Crash Worship, Ulan Bator, Unsane, Michael Gira, My Cat Is An
Alien, Allun, Ronin and The Living Jarboe, Einsturzende Neubauten
. Additionally, they have worked collectively or with their side
project people as Joseph Budenholzer's Backworld, Damo Suzuki, Lydia
Lunch, Coil/Black Sun Production, Sikhara and HR Giger. The group’s
soundtrack work to Winsor McCay’s animated films, Cartoanimalettimatti,
won a “Best of Show” award at the Harlock/Rimusicazioni
Festival in Italy.
Reviews
|
