Merzbow Top Hits

Started by Strömkarlen, December 29, 2009, 03:52:02 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

acsenger

Yesterday I finished the Merzbox. It took me a couple months, of course. While I didn't like everything, I liked most CDs, and overall the box is a very impressive collection. I'm reading the book that came with it and most of it so far is interesting, and although it isn't always strictly limited to Merzbow, that's not a problem (you get to read about Kurt Schwitters, Japanese bondage, Bernhard Günter's views on music etc.).

I'm now going to explore post-1999 Merzbow. Granted, there are plenty of mediocre and weak releases, but there are some really good ones too. Collapse 12 Floors, for example, is great.

13

Impressive that you made it all the way through it. I would love to hear some of the material from the mid-90's period.

Quote from: acsenger on May 23, 2016, 11:24:36 AMI'm now going to explore post-1999 Merzbow. Granted, there are plenty of mediocre and weak releases, but there are some really good ones too. Collapse 12 Floors, for example, is great.

I have never heard Collapse 12 Floors, but it is listed as "Power Electronics" on Discogs. Is that a correct description?

acsenger

Quote from: 13 on May 23, 2016, 12:42:59 PM
I have never heard Collapse 12 Floors, but it is listed as "Power Electronics" on Discogs. Is that a correct description?

Not at all. Merzbow never did PE. It's more a "sound art" album, very different from releases before it. Those blocks of sound in track 2 and 3 have a very physical feel to them, something I love.

holy ghost

Collapse 12 Floors is a great Merzbow record. I am also partial to Hybrid Noisebloom, Merzbuddha, Annica, Animal Magnetism and the entire "13 Japanese Birds" series

In addition to classics like Pulse Demon, Venerology, etc.

I don't really dislike any Merzbow, but those are the ones I gravitate to.

Duncan

Despite his being my introduction to 'proper' noise (like a lot of people I guess?) I never really cared that much for collecting his stuff after I discovered there were many, many more people out there making similarish sounds.  I'm looking forward to having a proper trawl through the few albums I have as well as this thread to see what my perspective is now.

That said, I think 1930 is excellent and I listen to it quite a lot, plus I always loved this stuttering, cut up number on the 'Melt' (1992) comp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVpKJGOKcqs

Bloated Slutbag

Quote from: Duncan on May 25, 2016, 01:25:22 AM
I discovered there were many, many more people out there making similarish sounds.

My first reaction: Oh yeah? Name one. Artist and album please.

Second reaction: I suppose "similarish" could pretty much cover the whole of industrial/experimental/noise, so no worries there!

I still (and apparently forever) regard Merz as properly belonging to the experimental-industrial tradition, not so firmly into anything like noise, even "Japanese noise". Merzbox is something I have never actually made it through in one go (of several days). But literally every time that go is given the mind is blown. I could (and probably should) dedicate the whole of the remainder of my sad life listening exclusively to Merzbox and fuck the rest.
Someone weaker than you should beat you and brag
And take you for a drag

ImpulsyStetoskopu

#111
Quote from: Bloated Slutbag on May 25, 2016, 07:05:10 PM
Merzbox is something I have never actually made it through in one go (of several days).

I made it several times and always I wait for next time! And always I found something new there, something inspiring...


Quote from: Bloated Slutbag on May 25, 2016, 07:05:10 PM
But literally every time that go is given the mind is blown. I could (and probably should) dedicate the whole of the remainder of my sad life listening exclusively to Merzbox and fuck the rest.

Definitely I share your opinion!


Zeno Marx

#112
Quote from: Bloated Slutbag on May 25, 2016, 07:05:10 PM
Quote from: Duncan on May 25, 2016, 01:25:22 AM
I discovered there were many, many more people out there making similarish sounds.

My first reaction: Oh yeah? Name one. Artist and album please.

Second reaction: I suppose "similarish" could pretty much cover the whole of industrial/experimental/noise, so no worries there!
Pretty much exactly and absolutely.

If asked to make a deserted island list, and even if I wasn't in the mood for noise at all (which does indeed happen here and there) at the time of making said list, there would probably still be around a dozen Merzbow albums key, and mandatory, to the collection.  I'm not the biggest Merzbow fan, nor have I ever collected Merzbow.  Nevertheless, he would have a major presence in a coconut existence because he is simply that good and unique.

EDIT:  is Metal Mad Man included anywhere else than on the cassette proper?  Reissued on CD anywhere?
"the overindulgent machines were their children"
I only buy vinyl, d00ds.

noyearning

As much as I adore Merz, I don't care much for his "blown out harsh assaults" material. IMO he really shines through doing that kind of industrial/noise heavy on tape loops and junk abuse. The period from late 80's and early 90's is my favorite. Memorial Gadgets, Pornoise, Antimonument, Aka Meme, Lampinak, Metalvelodrome, Music for Bondage... mostly great stuff! Also, those tapes released some years ago, Nov 1989, April 1992, are very worthy too.

That being said, I also enjoy some stuff he put out during the 00's/10's. Namely, Merzbird, Uzu Me Ku, Nezumimochi. I don't know, this modus operandi of "synth/drum loop repeating forever with noise freak-outs on top" appeals to me. Kinda reminds me of his aforementioned period, but not quite.

Some other releases I really like that don't fit into an era, I guess, are Vibractance (amazing drone-ish stuff) and the colab with Genesis.

Deadpriest

#114
The Orange disc in Turmeric is very excellent also I have never heard the lushness of Sha mo 3000 before. I also love Bariken, Oersted, Pulse Demon and venereology.
My book of poetry: http://www.histergrant.com/

Deadpriest

... Frog is pretty fucking lush (both in terms of richness and that gross English slang)
My book of poetry: http://www.histergrant.com/

Marko-V

Haven't heard yet, but looks interesting:

david lloyd jones

not listened to a merzbow release in years.
loved his analogue stuff but thought his initial digital output poor as  adjusting to new format (digital)
some releases appealed but interest fizzled out.

FreakAnimalFinland

I had been slightly hesitating on VOD box "Lowest Music & Arts 1980 - 1983". I had it, most of all because was member of VOD in 2012. Looked the box of 10 LP's + 7", and filed it on shelves. I am familiar with some of tapes before, and just wasn't on the mood at that time.

Was listening through Rising From The Red Sand compilation 5xLP box, where Merzbow's noise track sticks out strongly as one of the best contributions. Among plenty of synth, beats, post-punk, electronic stuff, good to hear real noise. It instantly made me decide that next thing I'll listen will be Lowest Music & Arts 1980 - 1983.

And I must say, despite you can't file any of the LP's among "top hits", vast majority of them are great. I don't like all of the very earliest Merzbow. Lots of free jazzy, garbage sounds collaged together, not-so-powerful racket made with various rubbish, etc. However, it's clear that there are great material right there in earliest years. I tend to think his best works range probably between 1984-1998 with little bleed before and after.

Strength of box is, that each LP is very much of its own identity. You got disturbing ones based on very simple structure and nearly annoyingly challenging sounds. You got more sound collage/improv type of things. And you got rhythmic drum machine beat dominated industrial-noise. There are LP's that operate on disorganized chaos, and other opposite of that. There are more distorted recordings, even if he doesn't yet reach the level of distortion orgy known from later days Merzbow.

Booklet what comes in wooden box, ain't much for me. "Lowest arts" in deed. I like modern art / antiart to some level, but knowing how great Merzbow collages and artworks are at the best, this particular abstract mess of colors and patterns doesn't do anything for me. For tape covers, xeroxed into grainy B/W, works out fine. Now reproduced in it's full glory on glossy full color booklet... well,....

Out of all the Merzbow I listened this year, I must say that this box is actually the best. I listened this 5 LP's in a row. During two days. It  tells something about diversity and strength of material. That even after nonstop blast of 5 LP's, you could listen more, but just run out of time and have to continue later on. This doesn't happen with many of later days Merz, what may be good, but also so "complete" that it doesn't necessary give you feeling of "I'll listen 4 more today..."

If you happen to have empty slot of 10LP's in wooden box in your record collection, not a bad choice!
E-mail: fanimal +a+ cfprod,com
MAGAZINE: http://www.special-interests.net
LABEL / DISTRIBUTION: FREAK ANIMAL http://www.nhfastore.net

Zeno Marx

I see that Hospital Productions is reissuing Noisembryo on gatefold 2LP (edited) for $40+shipping.  I'm curious to know of the exact editing and alterations.  Is this a Nurse with Wound production where everything can be different?  What's the exact deal here?  Great to see this available again, though I'm having a difficult time believing it not best suited to remain on CD.  An all time all-timer.
"the overindulgent machines were their children"
I only buy vinyl, d00ds.