Search - Thomas Koner :: Zyklop

A Breakthrough For Köner

yipyipcoyote | 07/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This must be the first time I hear sound sources other than his famous processed gongs on a proper album of his. The trademark drones are still there, but this time they are mixed with field recordings - yes, FIELD RECORDINGS of birds, crickets, wind, water, static buzzes, urban noises etc. which sometimes completely take over. The result is not unlike playing 'Permafrost' and any Eric La Casa disc simultaneously. The first CD is a single, involving 60-minute piece entitled 'Une Topographie Sonore : Col de Vence' and features mostly natural sounds, while the second disc contains 4 shorter tracks of various live recordings and installations. I know this diversification of sound sources would probably push him into the same league as La Casa or even Etant Donnes (the whispering in French helps), but heck, the presence of the clouds of tones does retain the ability to engulf the listener as in his best previous works, only now enhanced by the concrete sounds.A vast improvement from the last release 'Daikan', this has the potential of becoming my favourite Köner piece."