Monday, September 20, 2010

MUSIC REVIEW - Human Hands

Artist: Human Hands
Title: Palus Nectaris
Label: JUGULAR FOREST
Edition of 75, J4F4342
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As ambient music, the glitch-y vocals and distorted Casio do little to produce a meditative environment.  "Pierrot of the Stars" did not bring visions of celestial bodies or new moons, or transport me to a higher plane.  It reminded me of a poorly circuit bent FM - Buddha Machine.  As an electronic sound collage, "Palus Nectaris" offers a few slightly engaging rhythmic combinations.

While converting low bit rate digital sources to analog cassette seems to be a recurring format choice for experimental acts touring through Madison, tape does not mask the lo-fi toy keyboard quality that "Palus Nectaris" seems to be rooted in.  However, this tape does provide an accurate representation of Human Hand's live set as presented at a Madison house show this fall -- and the performer's masquerade-wear and clown nose were an amusing distraction.

By Troy Schafer

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