I previously reviewed The Bodies Obtained's 'From the Top of My Tree,' and was not very impressed, partly because they compared them to the Residents and brought Throbbing Gristle into the mix. This time, thankfully, the promo sheet resists such tenuous connections, choosing rather to describe it as 'residing in a space where experimental noise and music find common ground ' think melodic dissonance.' I can get behind this description, although for readers of Chain DLK the term 'noise' has significantly different expectations. You will not find anything like Merzbow here, so move along if that's what you are looking for. That said, I think that my original comparison to the Legendary Pink Dots still holds. This is darkly amusing, almost poppy kind of music. For example, 'She Wants What She Wants' begins with the words 'She wants the itch of your crotch.' The music is a mishmash of funhouse organ and distorted voice. You can tell that you are in for a weird ride from the very beginning. Overall, I found this album to be much stronger than the predecessor and a good time. This is not exactly feel good music, but it is enjoyable in the same way looking at a car wreck is enjoyable ' you know you should stop looking but the scene is so compelling. This disc weighs in at 39 minutes.

I had not heard of Ben Frost before this disc came in the mail. This can best be described as electronic, although I would not compare it to the Orb or such, but rather, this has an experimental edge to it. At times it is glitch and noisy, while at others, peaceful and droning. I found it interesting that the last three songs take their titles from the lyrics of 'Disintegration' by the Cure, although none of them seem to have anything to do with that song (Peter Venkman does seem like it would be at home on a Ghostbusters soundtrack though). From the very beginning it is clear that this is not going to be just an easy listening album with the track 'Killshot' that has crescendoing pulses of music interwoven with strings. 'The Carpathians' has an unsettling claustrophobic feel to it that immediately gives way to the stripped down minimalism of 'O God Protect Me,' which in turn transitions to the noisiness of 'Híbakúsja.' 'Leo Needs a New Pair of Shoes' is perhaps the most traditional song on this disc, sounding like something off a Narada sampler. Overall, this was a pretty good introduction to this artist and if you have someone who likes their experimental music not too experimental, this would certainly be worth checking out.

Jim DeJong has been putting out music under the moniker The Infant Cycle since 1992, but I have to admit that I had not heard much from him. The label describes this as 'hypnotic drone-circles from Canada using tons of instrumental sound-sources.' And they aren't kidding about the sources, which are listed in the notes and include guitar, cookery, carved playout groove, marimba, bird cage, wind chimes, concocted field recording, electronic organ, and trombone. Not that you would be able to recognize any of these elements in the music. All of these tracks are pleasant drones (did you expect anything else from the label?) that all slowly evolve. 'Secret Hidden Message' combines shimmering drone with rhythm and random noises throughout that if you blink you will miss them. It ends suddenly with about a second of pounding percussion. '(And Then The Dog Replied)' follows a similar trajectory, although with a bit harder edge to it and more dissonance. But side B, simply titled 'Trombone' is where he really shines. The fact that the only sound source is a trombone is a testament to his skill at sound manipulation. It almost sounds like two interconnected tracks. At first it is a bit chaotic and noisy as it lurches along. Where side A seemed much more composed, this has a sense of randomness to it. But then is shifts and slowly builds from calm drones to an almost ominous sounding bass drone with high pitched cries from the trombone. All in all, a good addition to the Drone roster. Limited to 300 in translucent grey vinyl.

Adaptive Reaction is a two person outfit from Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada and claim to be 'an electronic based raw and sonic blender of old school electro beats, static and crashing ride glitchery, roaring analogue, and sear[ing] vocals.' Well, kind of. Both of these tracks can best be described as industrial punk. Even the fact that the songs weigh in at 1.38 and 1.59 tells you something (although I think that S.O.D. with their two second songs were the masters of brevity). Quite nice though, with a heavy urgency to the songs. Promonium Jesters hail from Uxbridge, Ontario Canada and 'play psychedelic industrial thrash music, incorporating elements of metal, noise, ambient, trance, and digital hardcore with a heavy emphasis on experimentation.' Fair enough, although I didn't get a whole lot of noise here despite the fact that they have performed with Merzbow. I must admit that this track was a lot of fun. There is a lot going on, but it still hangs together. Where Adaptive Reaction seems to have its roots in old school punk, Promonium Jesters seems to draw its inspiration from Ministry and the DTrash roster. Not bad ' I'll bet they both put on one hell of a show. Overall, I would like to hear more from both, which is always a good thing with a 7' split. If you want a digital version instead, you can get it for $2.00 at Promonium Jester's site.

The more I hear from Lens Records, the more I like what they are doing. Everything I have reviewed for them has been excellent. Not bad for a label I had not heard of a year ago. I had not heard of either of these bands, but evidently The Copper Thieves consist of members of Encomiast and Mandible Chatter ' there is a band that I have not heard about in quite some time, but they made (still make?) quite interesting experimental music.

Here is the background on the project from the label: 'In 2004, a group of musicians and curiosity-seekers went to the Belvidere Theatre in Central City, CO because it was rumored to be one of the most haunted buildings in the state. Our initial goal was to attempt to record Electromagnetic Voice Phenomena, but the project eventually took on a much different cast. We never succeeded in capturing any ghostly voices, but we reassembled the recordings into new compositions that captured the haunted spaciousness of the theatre. That's where 139 Nevada began. We returned to record in the theatre two more times while making these two records. Even if the spirits never raised their voices, we hope they were entertained by our presence.' Well, even if the spirits were not entertained, this reviewer certainly was. Let's discuss each disc in turn.

Encomiast: I have listened to this disc a few times and I still don't know how to describe it. This is an excellent thing. The comparisons that come to mind are Coil and Zoviet France. I find this album to be fantastic. At some points it is pleasant droning music that fades into the background. At others, it turns into staccato marimba and metal percussion that has an almost whimsical quality. Other times the atmosphere is think and complex but not overwhelming. At still other times, they flex their muscles and make it a bit noisier. I would have to say that this disc has a combination that is often sorely lacking in experimental music'variety and balance. Some bands try to branch out and tracks are all over the map and sound out of place. Encomiast manages to do so cohesively.

The Copper Thieves: The track begins with peaceful drones and lilting music-box like melody throughout. However, this then transitions to a jungle like atmosphere with a simple drum beat repeated over and over, as if it were the soundtrack to a Tarzan movie. And so it goes throughout the album, much as the Encomiast disc (and this makes sense, considering that they are an integral part of this band as well). Peaceful atmosphere is punctuated by clangs and otherworldly sounds. Piano that sounds as if it were being played in an (almost) empty, decrepit, long forgotten concert hall as a woman sings a concert that will never be heard. At other times, we have a dark, ominous soundtrack-like piece, reminiscent of In The Nursery's 'Optical Music' series. Overall, a pleasant listen that evolves with enough shifts to keep it interesting.

This set is wonderfully packaged in a paper box with cotton batting and postcards. All in all, I would highly recommend this set. It's limited to 200 copies, so you will want to pick this one up quickly.