Paranerd – Cold Reflect [one14]

IDM // By: NoahcloseAuthor: Noah Email: noah@netlabelism.com
More Authors Posts (8) // 09/03/2012 // No Comments

A lot can happen in eight years.  In cyberspace, it’s nearly a lifetime.  Looking back, we might consider Facebook’s launch or Google going public to be milestones of the world-wide-web in 2004.  Okay, maybe that’s not what comes to mind (although those events did happen).  But In terms of music, readers of Netlabelism might be more interested in what was going on in the netlabel scene.  The focus of this article is on an album from that year which in my opinion has – thus far – stood the test of time.

Paranerd (aka Paul Coguen), from New Brunswick, Canada, has a modest but impressive repertoire of releases.  A fitting introduction to his work, and the subject of this review, is Cold Reflect, released in October 2004 on the now inactive One netlabel.  For years, there have been literally thousands of pieces of music produced and released via the netlabel scene.  Labels such as One, Thinner, and Rohformat (R.I.P.) helped set the standard for high quality netaudio early in the last decade.  Still, Cold Reflect cuts through the chaff and continually moves me even after several years.

The first track, “Caught In Your Tumble,” is a fair introduction to what the listener may expect throughout the album.  It is light, pensive, and crisp – very much like a sunny, snow-coated winter morning in Canada.  Not only does Paranerd’s music likely echo his surroundings, it also resonates with a decisively low-bit and nostalgic sound; yet it’s not overdone.  Although we hear a reference to Paranerd’s own influences in the album, he maintains a sound uniquely his own.

“Slumber Lovers” is perhaps the most distinguishable piece on the album and the one I’ve come to identify with the most.  It sets a lucid tone, like the moments in early morning waking dreams, half awake and half asleep.  Rhythmically speaking, there are many interesting moments on the album.  The seventh track, “Too Mushroom,” is particularly worth noting for its time signature: 5/4.  Although there is no shortage of ‘odd’ time signatures across the broader catalogue of netaudio out there, Paranerd’s use of it here is well placed and demonstrates his crafty style of musical composition.  “Too Mushroom” recaptures the listener’s interest near the end of the album with a keen repetition of melody and harmony such that the 5/4 time is nearly indiscernible.

Overall, Cold Reflect is an album you will definitely appreciate if not totally love.  So what’s Paranerd been up to lately?  Thankfully he still releases occasional music under the same moniker.  You can follow him on Soundcloud and Bandcamp.   [NC]

Paranerd – Slumber Lovers

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Deep Link To: Release Page

The B Regiment – Endless Knots: Delta Sounds

Downbeat & Downtempo, Hip Hop, IDM // By: AlexandercloseAuthor: Alexander Email: alexander@netlabelism.com
More Authors Posts (31) // 10/02/2012 // No Comments

The DIYM netlabel is a melting pot of sounds to explore, releasing everything from post-rock to electronica, from folk to rock and beyond.  It is great to see a netlabel that branches out into some not-so-explored sounds in creative commons music. Late last year the label released The B Regiment’s EP Endless Knots: Delta Sounds which brings an equal amount of genre hopping to the table while still maintaining a consistent sound. It is a quick listen at 17 minutes but still rewarding, and the length lends itself to multiple plays.

What struck me first was the cover art, I hate to say it but more often than not it is the cover art that lures me into downloading a netlabel release, and I loved this classic beach silhouette with gold shimmering water look, how could I say no?! The EP opens up with Lazy Summer Outdoors which runs for a minuscule 41 seconds before dropping right into an Indian inspired instrumental beat track. Led by the classical Indian instrument (A Sarod, for those whose ears are well trained) the beat hits hard as it competes with the dancing sound of the unique Sarod, but like its predecessor also comes to a close very quickly.

Enter in the longest track of the EP. At 6 and a half minutes Hafiz Paradox features prominent spoken word on the subject of religion and control by Amy J Lonas. A repetitive piano strikes away before a steady snare beat moves forward. The track does not deviate too far from this structure, and although I felt it could do with a little more surprises, was a consistent effort. Another left hook comes in the form of PH Dhaka  with a fiercely delivered emcee guest spot which again ruminates on some heavy subjects.

The next track is quite possibly my favourite on the release, but I will let you have a listen for yourself. Endless Knots: Delta Sounds is heavily steeped in a geographic mould, track titles draw inspiration from middle eastern/Asian locations, make nods to ethnic instruments and artists and reflect a strong diversity not only in the music contained within but also in the lyrical body. It is rare for me to come across a netlabel release that has depth, substance and connection between music, lyrics and track titles. This release is one of those rare occasions. [AS]

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Deep Link: The Release Page

Deef – Unbekannte Deutsche Touristen In Frankreich

Ambient & Experimental, Broken Beat, Downbeat & Downtempo, Dubstep & Garage, IDM // By: simiolioliocloseAuthor: simioliolio Email: simon@netlabelism.com
More Authors Posts (40) // 07/02/2012 // 2 Comments

Plinky wibbly smatterings of gurgling synths, punchy kick drums and lively wonky beats. Microscopic cuts strangled by organically evolving textures, smearing and swooping drunkenly into your unsuspecting ear drums. An intriguing, unpredictable aural-collage, abstract but approvable, peculiar but lovable, presents itself in a dignified and polite manner. It’s the fragments of ticklish melodies interrupted by bizarre snippets of samples from the real world which fulfil a potential in using field recordings which few manage to exploit fully. The interlinking elements drift in and out of a continually changeable continuity; what was once a melodic synth is now a blistering high-pitched squeal, what was once a single tap of a metallic spoon is now an army of 10,000 nano-spoons hitting each other in a chaotic frenzy.

It is evident that Deef has taken a long time to complete this lengthy and involved work. When you think back to all the tunes you know which have one main hook which loops around and around, with a few accompanying parts sailing in and out, with a little variation in neighbouring sections. This is a million miles away from those tunes. Fair enough, some tracks (such as ‘Am Strand’) take one singular musical motif and play with it for it’s entirety, but when recovering from the fidgety, unsettled nature of most other compositions included in this album, this is easily welcomed as an enjoyable contrast. It takes a tremendous amount of time and energy to make music which is this involved and diverging, as well as taking an extremely positive and diligent attitude to avoid hitting the dreaded ‘loop’ button.

Now, although I really like this release, it is by no means perfect (we are label buddies, so I’ve got to eradicate any bias!). Its disjointed nature makes it a fairly challenging listen. Also, some synth sounds can be quite bland. The opening passage of ‘Die fruechte sind teuer. Das leben ist hart’ is clunky, dry, and lifeless. Luckily the magnificent explosion into the ‘real’ introduction at 0:27 ended my woe and triggered curiosity, but with most other sounds possessing a delightful organic demeanor, I feel some work could be done on softening up the garish synth sounds which hinder some otherwise-beautiful atmospheres. However, perhaps this would make the whole album too passive? Opinions in the comments below!

The title track ‘Exotisch ist nicht gleich witzig’ is twitchy and fuelled with tension, and the loose yet abrasive glitch of ‘Ehrlicher pathos ‘ had my toes wiggling. If you are tired and in need of soothing relaxation, you will probably be scared off by the bizarre individualism of this album. If, however, you can allow Deef to penetrate your brain, manically whisk it up, and bake it at Gas Mark 10, you will love every minute.

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Deeplink to: Release Page (@ rec72 )