Zeitgeist presents Blaubac, Ian Simpson, Silbernacht


Blaubac	Ian Simpson	Silbernacht

Ian Simpson The World in Bitesize Chunks 1

Hmm - 26 tracks in under an hour. Must be hardcore, right? Wrong. As a member of the BEaker People it was always unlikely that Ian was going to go all Enslavement on us, and so its proved.

Ian has obviously decided to be experimental on his solo material, which can be a very, very dangerous thing. I mean you could end up disappearing up your own behind in finest Beefheart mode if you're not careful. But Ian, for the most part, avoids the trap.

However, the best material remains the song driven material, such as "Women And Their Makeup", probably as it could easily be on the Beaker People CD, "Friend" which despite the 80s drum sound has a plaintive, yet dark quality to it. "Babe", actually written by Karen Simpson, which for no apparent reason goes all 180bpm bling blang. "Dead Go Dancing" a lof-fi trip hop type sound which is most definitely of dark intent.

A bit hmm and bit shrug of the shoulders in some parts, but it is different. Which is good. Personally, I preferred the large bits over the bitesize chunks, but I'm a fat lad. It's also a bit of a grower, as the 1st time it nearly wandered into the no pile, before stealthily ambling into the maybe pile, before sidling into the yes pile. Luckily, there's a fair number of tracks available on that there internet thingy. Sort yourself out.

Silbernacht - Gabrielstal

On this, the follow up to "Nacht ohne Sterne", Fran EBer has decided to restrict himself to a single 14 minute piece of music. Last time round we made reference to thirties horror movie scores, and while that still rings true, there's more of a modern classical feel to this longer piece.

It remains evocative, mood inducing, and sometimes almost trance like (dream state as opposed to dodgy Ibiza sound). Repeated plays highlight nuances that slipped by on initial listening, and the extra spins continue to reward.

Exceptional work from a gifted composer

Frank EBer, Kempener Alle 108, D-47803 Krefeld, Germany

Blaubac - Wind chill

Curses, curses and thrice curses. Oh, yes, you think you're big and clever sucking me in with your 7" singles, your And Then Nothing and your Stormcrow. You, oh so innnocently, ask do you do cds in your sweet and plaintive voice, lulling me into your deviant game. Yes, say I, not knowing your evil intent. And now I sit here, trapped in a world of dark and experimental electronica, alone in an uncaring and strange world. not of my making.

The beats are dense, thoughts intertwine, melodies clash and crash. It runs through the back brain, teasing and tormenting. We hate dynamic animation, we hate self grandeur, we hate 5 Symphonic Pieces from "Lulu" . We hate "Heart of Darkness". But deep within the mindless noise of techno beats that self same heart, and it takes us with it, against our wills, crying out, yet deep down in that secret place, we know we want to go, we just can't admit it. Not yet.