Customer Reviews

Signal to Noise

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The distance between most musical forms isn't really such a great one: in music the illusion of change is often more profound than the change in music itself. If you've wondered what the real sea change in music might sound like, you need to spend some time with the likes of Robert Henke.

"Signal to Noise" is a defining accomplishment in its approach, execution and aesthetic sensibility. Preoccupied almost completely with signal processing and reprocessing -- Henke refers to his technique here as granular resynthesis -- Parts I and II of "Signal to Noise" display some remarkable musical results. By occasionally allowing the source material to surface Henke creates a shift in the listener's perception. Comprehended not so much as a "petit mort", but more like a small and gentle stroke, your perception of what's going on changes. And thanks to the care given this work you will know when the source material surfaces: it emerges in a distinctly recognizable way, not like some other sound lumped on top of another soundscape. Which is to say that there is a more keenly detectable set of goals about this music that sets it far apart from the vast body of drone ambient that's out there.

"Studies for Thunder" is literally that: synthetically created electrical storms. The metaphor is clear enough, but the piece sits a bit uncomfortably between environmental recording and electronic music simply because the calibre of finish Henke brings to this will leave most casual listeners thinking that they are in fact listening to a skilled phonographer's field recording. While the first two pieces are genuinely musical accomplishments, "Studies for Thunder" seems like a little bit of technological sleight-of-hand.

That nit aside, Henke's work here points to something new and entirely worth your attention.

I bought this after listening to a sample of it. I am one of those ambient music lovers who dislike any hint of a beat in my music. Even chill downtempo music is too busy for me. Yes, I like it slow and moody. Once I find a sound that I like, I want it to change rarely and when it does, I want the changes to be subtle and to happen at a glacial pace. People who like ambient music tend to enjoy contemplative activities - stargazing, writing, painting, meditating, zoning out, daydreaming, sleep/dreaming, etc. The first piece on this album is wonderful for these types of activities. Indeed, it justifies my purchase in and of itself. The third piece wwould have been better without the synthesized thunder - I find it an unecessary disruption in an otherwise good piece. Overall: 9/10. Steve Roach fans will enjoy this one.