A review from Modern Dance Magazine Issue 38 ( not out yet )
PSYCHIATRIC CHALLENGE - Kitchen Chamber Works - MP3.Com
Hailing from the Electronic Musik
label, Psychiatric Challenge offer up a
suitable and strangely overlooked alternative to the electronic
experiments
that I have heard on the label. PC is basically a live, fully
improvised
guitar quartet. The play live wherever they can, be it stage,
studio or
kitchen (!), and once recorded their music is treated via the
computer to
create further dimensions and boundaries. Amongst the guitars (mainly
used
through long delay effects, there's the odd percussion, distant
atmospheric
radios, keyboards and there's even mention of a theremin! To be
honest, and
I'd be the first to admit I enjoy electronic music soundscapes, I
find this
album to be superbly refreshing and it's great to hear how
inventive these
guys are with the humble guitar (granted, it goes through
numerous processes
and filters afore we get to hear it), but I haven't heard enough
of this
style. Fred Firth, GP Hall, and Tony Harn manage to occasionally
do well in
the genre, and PC seem to be comfortable and at home. The only
real
complaint is that their titles are about as inspiring as a naked
Anne
Widdecombe (well, okay, not 'that' bad!). Music like this
deserves exotic
and imaginative titles, not Trio #1, or Section #2, or even Duo #2.
I know
the music should speak for itself, but sometimes I like to share
the
musicians ideas as to what the music tries to invoke. Other than
that, a
cracking set of effect laden guitar driven improv. Check out the
band on
either MP3.com or Electronic Musik's home page. Oh, and if there's
any
chance of reviewing some of their existing material, I'd be only
too happy
to oblige. And, I won't complain, or even mention it if the
titles aren't
evocative! Deal?
(Dave W)
This review is from Modern Dance Magazine, Issue 38, with 37 out soon.
To buy this CD click here