A new release from Oslo based independent record label Metronomicon Audio feels intriguing and involving even before I have heard anything of or about its musical content. I think the reason is that I believe this is one of the three most important record labels in Norwegian music history.
I don’t know a lot about the history of Norwegian music, because I don’t think that kind of knowledge is as relevant as older Norwegians might think it is. Thus, to state that a very small independent record label, established in 2000, is one of the three most important record labels in the Norwegian music history feels neither radical nor controversial, nor anything else worth worrying about.
I think Norwegian musicians have made more interesting music the last ten years or so, compared to previous epochs, because I find some of the contemporary music to be distinct, eclectic, original, and therefore somewhat more impressive and interesting. People who are very proud of Norwegian music history are often very proud of Norwegian bands that have created something ‘new’ by imitating their favorite Anglo-American melodies, rhythms, instrumentation, lyrical themes, and then adding narratives in Norwegian. Almost all members of an ethnic group are capable of imitating another music tradition and then add lyrics in their own mother tongue, and then feel innovative and relevant when they have received a lot of worshiping from the national ‘establishment’. I feel old and boring and strange when I type ‘the establishment’. I’ll try to make the next paragraphs more intriguing and involving, or as short as possible, and less detached from the original aim. The original aim is to say something substantial about No Need For Ladders. Preferably as a narrative.
This album, which is a CD-R, reminds me of some CDs from the early 90s. Probably CDs involving Robert Pollard and Lou Barlow. I also think the melodies, the sound, the strumming, the harmonies, the chord progressions, the dynamics, and the English pronounciation recall Motorpsycho, which might be among the most innovative and relevant bands in the history of Norwegian music. However, this CD-R has been recorded with an acoustic guitar with only four strings.
I find it interesting that a record like this generates associations to both American guitar based lo-fi tradition and a Norwegian ‘avant-garde’ rock band like Motorpsycho. I don’t know any other band, regardless of nationality, who sound like Motorpsycho. I really don’t know where this talk about nationality, ethnicity and music history comes from. Perhaps because other Metronomicon Audio projects have proven to be influenced by something other than Anglo-American music tradition, and also proven to be capable of making something ‘new’ in the most convincing sense of that term.
Lower Than Lo-fi, but Higher is Christian Stouff’s solo project. He also plays the bass guitar in Metronomicon Audio’s largest ensemble, Now We’ve Got Members. Lower Than Lo-fi, but Higher seems to fit perfectly well in the Metronomicon Audio catalog along with other solo artists such as Marius Moriarty™ and Ergo considering their intimate, distinct acoustic sound. However, in a Norwegian context, I believe No need for ladders will be underrated or not even rated at all, and soon forgotten. I don’t think that’s an insane prophecy, because I could have referred to empirical data on previous releases.
Most of the vocal melodies, the string arrangements, and the guitar playing in general, is really intriguing. I also think the lyrics seem interesting, but it’s hard to say much about that because the sleeve doesn’t include lyrics, and his singing technique makes the words sound vague. I like this voice anyway. A saxophone is involved in one of the tracks, and for me that’s a bit funny, because I think that saxophone player appears on almost every Metronomicon Audio CD-R. I like to imagine that he has become some kind of subtle signature or something. His sound is interesting though, I bet he is a charismatic person. This narrative is terrible, try the CD-R.
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2 Responses to “This album title sounds like a metaphorical ‘manifesto’”
Ann Sung-an Lee - January 9th, 2009 at 10:38
interesting that you use the word “interesting” five times:)
audun - January 31st, 2009 at 14:24
thank you