in the static

in the static (2007)

The static was a noisy cloud that buzzed constantly but stayed still. Information in formation, covering us, shimmering in space. And exposing our bad reception.

Being in it makes you want to get out of it. 

This is a document of that.

Reaction to in the static:

 Time Off

..A sublimely noisy convergence of glitch electronica textures and subverted indie singer-songwriter melodies. Think My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless remixed by electronica guru Christian Fennesz. Ringing guitars float through layers of shifting digitised rhythms, swathes of ambiences, abstract and distended samples of static and field recordings, while vocals and lyrics float ephemerally throughout the banquet of noise, with a result as effected as it is affecting.

In the Static is a stunningly detailed and unique exercise in textural engagement, grounded emotionally by indie-rock’s evocative sentiments, but not limited by them. Stunning.

5 stars

Rave

Fuzzed up guitars and crushing drum beats, with welcome moments of tuneful beauty

aheadphonehome (essentially sound boffin Phil Laidlaw) has created a vast collage of multi-layered soundscapes that should be hard to handle, but it’s easier than you would give it credit. Sounding something like the more melodic elements of Aphex Twin fornicating with (possibly assaulting) an old Nintendo console, In The Static combines complex electronic beats and samples with well-planned instrumentation and a strong melodic sense. Sugar Shards would provide a perfect soundtrack to a Spike Jonze film, while X begins slowly with a tender guitar and drum machine, before somehow finishing like the Wrath Of God Version 2.0. Whether you’re looking for some low atmospheric tunes to accompany a wee hours comedown, or wanting to sit in front of your speakers and take note of every single beep and click, In The Static shows a promising human solo artist with a robot brain. 

Faster Louder

Laidlaw seems a man content in his own sphere of creation searching for answers beneath the anonymity of his combination of fuzz, expansive organ sounds, somewhat atonal vocal melody and hand crafted beats; all successfully blended to create fused soundscapes of startling melodic clarity propelled by fuzzy electronic urgency.

One is reminded of the feeling you experience when cocooned in a safe haven between the states of semi-consciousness and sleep. Lush tones emanate from all directions and float seamlessly ‘til the end, lulling again into that place and space where time stops and location becomes an unknown.

Consider trying to squash Aphex Twin and Sigur Ros into a single atom of existence and you have in the static which can only be referred to as a sonic manifestation of REM. Big thumbs up.