When Crawl Unit was around, I had some stubborn fixation about the name. I kept thinking in my head "crawl unit"... "crawl unit", this sucks. I can't explain. Since I don't feel name would be bad or bring some mental images to my head. But it was years ago, when I simply didn't want to listen stuff. As opposite of something like Vortex Campaign, which is name I just worship so much, even decades ago when I didn't even known what english word Vortex meant.
Anyways, when the transformation from Crawl Unit into Joe Colley happened, it felt little bit.. "academic". Another stubborn prejudice towards artists. But Some years ago, I suddenly started to listen his stuff. By accident or whatever reason, I happened to have piles of his release in my collection and while going through those, I regretted not paying proper attention before. To simply put it straigh in american style: Joe Colley & Crawl Unit rules.
Now during last two days, I have been giving multiple rotatins to this LP, which is CRAWL UNIT/JOE COLLEY "sound until the world ends". Staalplaat/ERS release from 2001. I just got it from label last week. Simple discosleeve, not any art to look at. First side almost 20 minutes, second side less than 15. Both presenting different kind of atmospheres. It seems irrelevant to go into detail of how "compositions" start and how they proceed. It is simply so complex structure, layering, developing of the songs. Mixing together the perfection of craftmanship in highly distinctive sounds. He may layer several layers of hummin drones, dry contact mic sounds, crispy field recordings, electronics, and each of the sound is perfectly mixed. Not that it would be "clean" in artificial way. He just seems to know exactly what needs to be added so sounds contribute to eachother instead of removing attention or frequencies vital for other sound. Dynamics are phenomenal. I can also praise the quality of this vinyl. Surface noise is very minimal. Hardly existing. You can turn it loud, and sense the subtle quiet humming sounds, and feel the full power of composition when machinery, electronics and noisy sounds rumble out of speakers. I thought I give it another spin just while writing these comments, but I can't push stop anymore. It's full LP or nothing.
Moment that is happening just right now, sounds as if old times Organum would drone in distance, more hi-fi Hands To would crawl through fields of dry plants, gigantic machinery hums slowly fading in, starting from barely audible to something that really cathes you ears. And while level of sound rises closer to cacophony, more high pitch electronics and some broken sound... all in amazing stereo image. It's wide, but not unnatural. What else could be said? There are many releases I like from him, but possibly this could be the best. Simply heard right time, right place. I'm not sure did the label say this was their last copy? Not sure, but you may approach Staalplaat if you want. For some Finns visiting Lahti, check out Sarvilevyt shelves. You look at Discogs and there's unplayed copy for 9€. Someone could do himself a favor and buy nice cheap thing for christmas...
I'm curious to hear all and any recommendations of his materials.
