Genre: Experimental / Avant-Garde / Noise

01 Asma de Tia de Alga (1994)
02 Rastrillo-Termotanque (1995)
03 Jarabe de Llanura (1996)
04 Respire un Cordero (1994)
05 Reduced a Hemorragia de Merluzas (1995)
06 Studio for Wire Plugs (1991)
07 Invisible Clown Sonata (1998)
08 Encias de Viento (1996)

All reviewers are self opinionated bastards. We can’t help it. Whatever we say we believe is the truth…and everyone else can go fuck themselves. Even when we’re wrong. Which we very rarely are. And if we are wrong you sure as hell won’t know about it because we’ll never admit that fact out aloud and for all and sundry to read. This is why Record labels and artists love and loath us in equal measure. They love us when we heap praise on a release and help to sell a few more copies on the back of our exquisitely thought out words of wisdom. They in turn hate us when we decimate the shit out of a release. This is the burden the reviewer must always carry with him. Pleasing and disappointing in equal measure. Then again…reviewers are hard skinned fuckers and don’t give a shit anyway. Well I fucking don’t put it that way. Here then is my opinion on this release. Read and believe.

There’s a rather sweet tale, actually three, to tell about Anla Courtis that is worth repeating here in case you haven’t heard them before. The first is that the artists real name is Alan Courtis. He was given the miss-spelt and differently pronounced moniker by his friend Miguel Tomasin who was with Alan in the well known, within small circles of the avant-garde, as part of the group Reynols from Argentina. Secondly…the group Reynols were something special within the field of artistic way out endeavours. Think of the most unusual way to play an instrument or utilise an object and Reynols will have gotten there first. Miguel suffers from Down Syndrome yet this never stopped him becoming the drummer, and in many ways figurehead, of this quite extraordinary group. Lastly…because technology was rather limited in Argentina the only way for Alan to produce his music was through the use of cheap cassette and reel to reel tapes. Folklore stating that he didn’t get his first computer until 1999. Which explains the title of this cd. Just in case you were wondering.

You can call the music on to be found on ‘Tape Works’ as sound sculptures or experimental collages. In many cases the music borders on musique concrete and electro-accoustic treatments. Although that barely scrapes the surface of this endearing and highly intelligent release. Based on the music created at the time, but not in chronological order, the sounds that Alan, or Anla, constructs out of his limited resources is an achievement that borders on genius in many respects. Just by overdubbing, cutting and splicing, and generally experimenting with his sound sources he creates a form of music that is technically supreme and aurally majestic. As pure as a flawless diamond with a sheen to match. Although it goes without saying that this created music will not appeal to everyone. Whilst there is the odd flash of a rhythmic, at the barest sense of the word, dynamic to be found within these pieces for the most part the music is best described as challenging. Be it through short bursts of fragmented noise that gives the sensation of having your fingernails pulled off by a pair of pliers to the female vocal sample that starts off normally before being looped and regurgitated in many different combinations adding an air of confused anarchy to the piece. Then there are the semi ambience glimmering parts that are book ended by frantic machine noises and high pitched squeals. And wait until you hear the 16+ minute last track which would give any of the extreme noise fraternity a run for their money in the nauseas sounds stakes. The relentless repetitiveness of the churning sounds a sonic master class in mind numbing wanton disturbance.

To be honest I expected no less from this charismatic character. In fact I would have been hugely disappointed if Alan had created music that was too easy to get into. Where’s the fun in that. Give me something to get my teeth into any day. Something to make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. To throw the gauntlet down and dare me to ridicule it. Which of course I can’t. The impressive sounds created from such limited sources an achievement not to be belittled. Being the self opinionated fucker that I am I can only urge you to throw caution to the wind. Forget your prejudices about experimental music. Live a little for once outside your comfort zone and give ‘Tape Works’ a spin. You don’t know what you’re missing. Essential all round.