INSTRUMENTS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – Music For Paradise Armor

Singer-songwriter Richard Swift spells out what you’re getting right in the name of his electronica act, though what he’s doing with these titular instruments of science and technology is questionable. In line with artists like Aphex Twin or Autechre, there’s a lot of repetition and weird, weird noises, suggesting Swift has recorded this album in a mad scientist’s laboratory.

The trouble with mad scientists, though, is that not all their experiments bear fruit. Some of it comes off…well, kind of like you let a crazy person man the studio. Much of Music for Paradise Armor is an arrhythmic clash of noise, from the circular beats to the occasional synthesizer piping and warble. Swift himself describes the album as being full of “modern clickety clacks” and zzzoops s s s,” which is pretty accurate. His experiments excel during more low-key songs, like “Nuux,” a soothing series of blips and bleeps, with a crawling whine trembling overhead, like the sound of a glass harmonic being played in an ice cave. But immediately following that is the abrasive “Chm Chm,” which sounds like a very drugged-out monkey trying to play drums, chimes and Centipede at the same time. It would be more fun to watch than to listen to.

Some consideration is due for the aim of this project. Swift, who is better known for Tin Pan Alley-flavored indie-rock, recorded this as part of Asthmatic Kitty’s Library Catalog Music Series, which is music designed for use as background. Imagine them soundtracking a sinister film scene, and Swift’s sonic wanderings make a lot more sense. But in general, there’s better “atmosphere” music out there than this. Many of the songs would be appropriate at a creepy art installation, but are too dissonant or distracting to be much good for putting on while you’re chilling at home. Unless your home is a creepy art installation, which shows true dedication to your work.

Swift’s vocals aren’t featured on his purely electronic offerings, which is too bad. He has a good voice, and though vocals would probably distract from the ultimate purpose of this music as background, it would make some of these tracks a lot more listenable, too.

(Asthmatic Kitty Records, PO Box 1282, Lander, WY 82520)