Chefkirk - western GRIP
I have been trying to avoid this disc for a while now, mainly because I was starting to
worry that I might have to change this site's name to "chefkirk.org" considering how often
this project pops up in my review queue. I like Chefkirk just fine but "all Chefkirk, all
the time" ain't my choice of slogan. That said, I guess absence breeds fondness and all
that as a walk home, a bus ride and several plus spins in front of ye olde monitor have
yet to leave me bored or anxious.This 11 track, 44+ minute disc comes to us from busy Norwegian persons TIBProd. The irregular, scrappy network duct type noise of Chefkirk is a perfect match considering what I have heard previously from the label. Packaging is minimal this time out with just a flimsy plastic case and inkjet paper sleeve to hide the CDR within and other than some amusing if non-sequiter track titles, that's it for the visual component.
"western GRIP" is definitely not out of character compared to Roger's other releases but it does introduce a gentler subtlety than I have come to expect with an almost perceptable lean towards microsound at a few key points. During the listening adventure extremely quiet rumbling or key in lock style twittling will submerge itself beneath your local noise floor only to suddenly rear up minutes later and surprise you with a stream of blurbly, sandy jello cube like hunks of digital noise. Like a lot of Chefkirk, the proceedings are unabashedly noisy in nature but still exude a roly poly, good natured aura. At worst case a little bratty but not a total "beatch".
The higher ratio of tonal plate shaped constructions (they could be considered drones if not for the integral grit) makes this disc's outline somewhat distinct in Roger's prolific output and while not as rambunctious as some, it is also not as overly saturated which makes it easier to hear multiple times without requiring a multiple bypass operation to cure your clogged arteries. The crunchier noise seems smooth without sounding overly filtered, like an assembly line of mechanical safety scissors snip snipping a garland of green licorice. As with past efforts "western GRIP" is very digital but with a primitive vacuum tube and tape reel feel that is at once both lab coat and garage sale. I can't really seem to make any final decisions about this disc's placement on my Roger H Smith sliding scale but I would at least place it along the upper half. Worth a spin or three for sure.
Moron, industrial.org
..The other new Chefkirk is on the more known Tibprod label and it seems that Smith is here in a more noise oriented mood. There seems to somewhat more distortion going on than on 'Selection Of Domestic Products', but it's still a good size of rhythmical destruction aswell. The much needed level of balance, at least for this listener is a bit gone here. Frans de Waard, Vital Weekly