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cdr|m's
.:: a klangwerk release ..................................................::.
artist :: william basinski
release :: watermusic
year :: 2000
genre :: electronic
label :: mmlxii
catalogue :: mm0201
website :: www.mmlxii.com
date :: 23-dec-2002
quality :: 192kbps/44,1khz
source :: compact disc
.::.......................................................................::.
01 watermusic 60:02
playtime :: 01h 00m 02s
.::.......................................................................::.
a certain flavour of composition puts emphasis more on what could
be considered "hang-time" than "narrative". some pieces don't
necessarily have to "go" anywhere in particular, their existence
is simple enough in that it presents a mood, a moment, a place and
encapsulates it. think of still-images for the ears as opposed to
moving-pictures for the eyes. the latest offering from william
basinski (previously: "shortwavemusic" circa 1998 on the noton
label) is one such work.
as an audio exploration into this hovering
suspension-fluid-photography, basinski presents watermusic.
composed last year, the piece utilises what seems to be a form of
generative music technique similar to that employed by brian eno
on his "systems series" works, wherein the compositional factor is
comprised of the simple interaction between a limited number of
carefully calculated cycling motifs, designed to create a form of
self-perpetuating music. basinki's piece, however, allows for much
more randomness and unexpected event happenings than may be
envisioned by this coarse description. his dense textures and
softly pulsing tones continually drift around one another in
gradually shifting plains of sound, creating new and constantly
evolving variations on the piece's the theme, yet never deviating
from what defines its essential sentiment.
watermusic is comprised of one sixty minute segment taken from an
extended experiment in this type of complex algorithmic layering.
the shifting tones and intermingling harmonics found here
represent only a small glimpse of what was undoubtedly a much
larger work. the layers reputedly ran for weeks on end, carefully
monitored by basinksi, his finger poised on a "record-button",
waiting patiently for opportune moments when the the interplay
between elements would truly begin to glow.
again, very much the soundtrack for a place as opposed to a film,
the beautiful scene is set by gently swelling low end bass tones.
lovely soft pulses caress one another, intermingling to create
something both flowing and floating at the same time. a fluttering
arpeggio off in the distance dances like a butterfly through the
warm haze. as time proceeds the various layers composing the
"arrangement" fade in and out of focus, ultimately revealing a
complexity to the work only apparent upon complete immersion in
the sound - the shifting events are gradual and understated enough
so as not to break the uncompromising take on tranquility, yet
organic enough to allow for things to evolve nicely throughout the
work's hour long duration. focused listening with eyes closed can
reveal a vast motionless vista stretching farther towards the
horizon than one might perceive from mere passive background
listening (however watermusic works equally as well in this mode
also, filling any room with a comforting glow). it's evocative,
yes, peaceful certainly, and easily avoids comparison with the
usual generic ambient by a milestone.
the lullaby application is an obvious choice - headphones in bed
recommended. sweet dreams.
.::.......................................................................::.
greetings :: sb, dps, cmc, sour, it, rac, dh, sfe, hbz, igr and mgc
.::.......................................................................::.
visit #klangwerk on efnet
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. .
| Dir : William_basinski--watermusic-CD2000-kW/
| Date : 12-23-2002 11:58
_|__ bn|e
| /_____________________________________________________|
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Files
Path
Size
[BMW]-[Electronic-2000]-(82.5 MB in 1 files of 192kbps Stereo)-[bender