Electric Bird Noise- Le Vestibule, Vestibule Transitoire

ARTIST: Electric Bird Noise

ALBUM: Le Vestibule, Vestibule Transitoire

LABEL: No More Stars Records

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 1-4-09

On his latest release, Brian Lea McKenzie, otherwise known as experimental rock composer Electric Bird Noise, moves further into minimalist realms; the entire album, which consists of just two extended tracks, was created using an electric guitar and an arsenal of reverb, digital delay, and distortion pedals. The first track, "La Vestibule," is the more sonically extreme of the two, starting off with fairly typical space rock loops and guitar effects that mimic vintage analog synthesizers, but as the loops begin to pan sharply back and fourth across the stereo channels it becomes hypnotic, almost disorienting. There's a particular unsubtle quality to the song's trance-inducing repetition that makes for an interesting listen; "La Vestibule" doesn't try to lull you into an altered state of consciousness, it practically forces you there, whether you like it or not. Despite it's more insistent qualities, it does still leave room for subtlety, and if it's rather intense in places, it's an interesting journey, especially in the latter half of the song, where the distortion fades into a sparse but still rhythmic loop of windy fuzz before building back into a wash of freight train-sized clatter. Second track "Vestibule Transitoire" is a much more mellow offering, with deep ambient tones and eerie, drawn-out accents in higher pitches. It's also slightly more recognizable as a guitar piece, with sparse harmonic touches giving way to a low feedback buzz. More soothing than the previous track, it nonetheless employs occasional moments of chaos to keep things from moving too deep into drone territory, and makes for a wonderfully somber meditation, especially paired with the more forceful "La Vestibule." Experimental but quite listenable, this release will especially appeal to fans of such acts as Fear Falls Burning, Windy and Carl, and Bass Communion.

Visit the No More Stars Records website at www.nomorestarsrecords.com for more information about this album.