As the year comes to a close, now is as good of a time as any to put forth the favourite albums of the artists and crew from Art As Catharsis. Hopefully, you’ll find something new and interesting in these lists, perhaps either expanding your tastes or learning something new about ours. Either way around, we hope you enjoy.
Our first list comes from the hands and mind of Simon Dawes, guitarist for Instrumental, adj. and Kurushimi.
The best of 2018, according to Simon Dawes (Instrumental, adj., Kurushimi)
1) Bill Frisell — Music IS
He’s nearly 70 years old now and has seemingly done it all, yet here he is still pushing himself as a musician, still dedicated to exploration and evolution, and still one of few guitarists I will follow anywhere. Several tracks are old songs under a new lens. This nostalgia, along with Bill’s tone, pace, his awareness of space and thoughtful use of texture, reminds me that even when he’s playing alone with a few reverbs, loops and wobbly echo effects, he’s still the master. Bless his soul, and cancel the rest of the list, it’s already over.
2) Ellen Kirkwood + Sirens Big Band — [A]part
Even for a composer of Ellen’s calibre, this was a mammoth undertaking. I hear Dvořák, hints of John Zorn’s Masada and Naked City, Don Ellis and his orchestra, Satoko Fuji and Jerry Goldsmith, as we morph from jazz, Afrobeat, exotica, cabaret and swing to electronica with even the occasional knock on the door of a not-too-distant cousin of heavy/prog rock. Great to hear Alon’s AirSticks in there too.
3) Colourfields — Body Objects
I love this. Novak and George have put so much detail into the synth sounds and production that the result is a listening experience I’m yet to find fault with. The vibe is peaceful, even through moments of urgency, probably thanks largely to Tully Ryan killing it on drums, and you’ve even got a cameo from Dave Rodriguez, who has been one of my favourite guitarists in Sydney for years. Absolutely check out this album.
Bonus round: Venetian Snares x Daniel Lanois
Two very unique voices— one an ambient pedal steel sound artist, the other a glitched-out breakbeat weapon —come together out of mutual respect for each other to create something that showcases both of their strengths in equal measure. Hard to tell whether it’s a Venetian Snares album with Lanois guesting or the inverse; it’s a proper collaboration. I’ve not heard anything like it.
The best of 2018, according to Tom Brand (Art As Catharsis)
Our second list has been prepared by Tom Brand, press writer for Art As Catharsis.
1. Sumac — Love In Shadow
While it’s been a great year for metal in terms of Thou season, new albums from The Body, Encircling Sea’s brilliant Hearken and a few of the releases AAC put out, Sumac took the cake for my favourite metal album of the year. Nobody but Aaron Turner is scratching my itch for muddy, destructive metal like he has in the past few years – the record’s freefall improvised shredding, the snarling lows of Turner’s voice during ‘The Task’, the marching thunder of Brian Cook’s bass and Nick Yacyshyn’s punishing drums through Attis’ Blade – all gold.
2. Nicolas Jaar – Against All Logic
The old soul samples, tasteful use of gain in the production and clever beats really added something to my appreciation of deep house. I’ve never felt like much of an expert in describing this sort of music, but fact of the matter was that it’s fun from start to finish and challenging while still palatable. You gotta respect the skill required to make that work.
3. Infant Island – Infant Island
I’m throwing this one here – not because it was the most ground breaking thing around – but rather because good, washy skramz is really hard to come by these days. Infant Island hit the nail on the head. It’s a beautiful little package of sulky progressions, shit tons of reverb, punchy riffs and some pretty diverse drumming. With a small run time, Infant Island’s self-titled feels urgent and precise – here’s hoping the band can take this formula and come back with something even more engaging.
Bonus round: Lack The Low – One Eye Closed
Really tough to pick a favourite project that AAC has released this year. I’ve loved the jazz releases and anything Alon Ilsar worked on – however Kat’s work on One Eye Closed as Lack The Low was incredible. I’m short for words now but her mastery of song structure and sheer musical talent is light years ahead of her contemporaries and you’re doing yourself a massive disservice if you haven’t listened to that record yet. This year’s unsung genius to be sure.