Hair_Loss – Calibration EP (Bruxist, 2011)

Hair_Loss – Calibration EP
Bruxist 2011

All that I’ve been able to gather is that Hair_Loss is from Philly. “Msrp” begins with glitchy, a-rhythmic synth and drum machine sounds. Slowly the a-rhythmic sounds fall into place and the 4/4 bass beat kicks the song into high gear. More percussive and texturally composed, not all that different from what we heard on the last couple of posts from Kenneth Lay and Metasplice (1/2 is Hair_Loss) a couple posts back. “Tetris Dick” also starts off in a similar way, with the different textures playing in an off-kilter way at first, but soon transforming into an organized beat. Even once the song does “fall into place” it still has a pretty chaotic and frenzied aesthetic because there are so many different sounds that are filling out the beat. “Ballsweat” doesn’t feature as many sounds, yet the synths are quite gritty and noisy, blown out and crackling. “Rear Heater” is composed of a similar kind of dirty, glitchy drum machine, but this time incorporates wavering layers of warm synth drone. It adds a nice counterbalance juxtaposed with the rhythmic grit. Towards the end of the song the rate of the oscillation on the drone is sped up, blending more with the more percussive sounds.

Free download: http://www.mediafire.com/?2wuldv2lliwjniy

Metasplice – EP II (Injections Limited, 2012)

Metasplice – EP II
Injections Limited 2012

Metasplice is the collaboration between Dave Smolen and Hair_Loss of Philadelphia. This is the second of two EP’s recorded in the summer and fall of 2011 and that were released on a cassette earlier this year.

The first song begins with haunting, echo-y, percussive synth textures and drum machine beats. The aesthetic vibe is quite similar to the Kenneth Lay release we just previously reviewed. The song consists of gradually shifting percussive textures that persistently ride the same rhythm all the way through to the end of the song. It is not often that I come across “noisier” music being used in an especially rhythmic, almost danc-y fashion. Maybe it’s just me. In the second song I like how, at times, the distinction between being in rhythm and out of rhythm, or on beat and off beat, is blurred. The third song features the more chaotic and a-rhythmic side of the group, although there are rhythmic elements that loop. The fourth song is composed of staccato, hiss-y synth sounds that are very jumpy and frenzied but are able to maintain a sense of organization and rhythm. Towards the end of the last song the synths get relatively melodic, at least more so than we’ve heard up until now. It’s a simple, repetitive melody and it is quite entrancing. I feel like an alien is singing to me, or something.

Cassette for purchase including both EP I & II: http://injectionslimited.bigcartel.com/product/metasplice-ms-i-ii

EP II streaming: