Fessenden - V1.1

Other Electricities
OE010

You say you’re pining for some hard-driving, thick textured, good ol’ fashioned improv, something bright ‘n’ shiny enough to make your kid brother sit up and take notice? Well, here ya go. Fessenden has released a few discs before this one, but “v1.1” is my first exposure to the trio, having only previously encountered Steven Hess (drums, percussion, vibraphone, electronics) in other ensembles. Rounded out by Joshua Convey (bass, electronics) and Stephen Fiehn (guitar, electronics), Fessenden creates enormously compelling works, music that surges atop small rhythms and large throbs in a manner that recalls both Gunter Muller as well as younger bands like Trapist and Radian.

The opening track, “not sleeping, just resting”, is a brief encapsulation of their approach: iterated sound elements including ratcheting rhythms and what sounds like a distant child’s cry, kneaded into each other and layered into a thick rope, but moving steadily forward. New sounds are added all the time right up to some gentle feedback at the conclusion, others recede and evaporate. “mid-swing” opens with quick, Martin Brandlmayr-esque cymbal work, the pulse maintained throughout, augmented by ringing guitar and a hive full of other noise. Something of the same pattern is followed on the ensuing piece, “diode”, albeit with a touch of synth-like, abrasive washes and you get a wee sense that there might be more surface than substance here. It’s a fine balance to hold though if a suspicion lingers, it’s largely outweighed by the pure aural fun to be had. The last two works play subtle variations on the already established themes, keeping the crisp rhythmic feel but varying the kinds of sounds flying about it. In fact, an aviary wouldn’t be the least apropos visual image to accommodate much of this music. They switch things up for the final piece, something of a skronkfest although, as always, a damned propulsive one. Enjoy.

other electricities