Male - German For Shark

Male – German For Shark

Posted On: July 4, 2010
Posted In: Adam Williams, Ben Mjolsness, German For Shark, Krohn, Male, Male - German For Shark, Other Electricities, Todd Mattei
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German For Shark is the latest offering from Male, the avant-jazz project of Jon Krohn, Ben Mjolsness and Todd Mattei which also features appearances from such Chicago independent music luminaries as Pan American’s Steven Hess and Exploding Star Orchestra’s Josh Berman amongst others. In addition, the album contains four remixes from various artists including one by Dan Bitney from the seminal Tortoise…

With such a strong ensemble of artists, it’s no surprise that the music present is meticulously recorded, without a note out of place in the fifteen tracks present on this improvisational album.

Opening with an attention grabbing cacophony of sound, Male then goes on to cover an impressive area of experimental music territory, a mix of post-rock, ambient, jazz and everything inbetween, with the band exploring the boundaries of whichever genre they happen to be operating in at the time.

Male continue to surprise at every turn, as ambient soundscapes which feature slow drones and lap steel contrast with staccato guitar, bringing to mind a track from Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s F#A# (infinity) or the Japanese post-rock genius of Gone.

Indeed, just when the listener starts to believe they understand all this album has to offer, the band will then deliver a melancholic piano driven piece followed by a moody cinematic dirge.

Released through the Other Electricities label in grey vinyl and digital download, German For Shark is a challenging, intelligent and dense work which leaves the listener with much to digest, encouraging repeated spins of the record. Fans of the burgeoning Chicago music scene, or of experimental music in general, will find something to enjoy in this eclectic album. – Review by Adam Williams for Fluid Radio

Track List:

01. M. Wilson, American
02. The Tase (One)
03. Jungle Boys
04. Con Wag
05. Leveler
06. Doom Thus (Two)
07. House of Ride
08. Beard
09. Condo=Life
10. Doom Thus (one)
11. The Tase (Two)
12. Con Wag Remix by Dartanjal
13. Artificial Apparition Remix by Colorlist
14. Japanese For Yes Remix by Dan Bitney
15. House of Ride re-process by Anthony Child

Purchase from Other Electricities here

www.other-electricities.com

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