Dustin Wong – Mediation Of Ecstatic Energy
(Thrill Jockey)
LP/CD/DL
16 September 2013
This is a slightly peculiar beast if ever I
heard one. A nice one, but, slightly
peculiar.
On the final part of the album trilogy that
started in 2010 with his ‘Infinite Love’ album, Wong plays guitar in a very
original way accompanied by an octave pedal to produce something that is
compelling and intriguing. With
influences of Surf Rock and John Fahey from his upbringing in Hawaii, the scene
is set.
From the experimental
opening of ‘The Big She’ to the curiously titled ‘A Shows B His Analysis And C
Looked Over’, Wong also wails avant garde sounds to complete tracks which
incorporates drum loops and near
prog-rock guitars. The former could be
called aggressive compared to the rest of the album which tends to be spiritual
in sound. The later builds from simple guitar and gradually builds and builds
via more loops and added instrumentation.
Wong’s way of work is
certainly interesting, but, it has to be questioned if it is sustainable over a
fourteen tracks. Initially, yes it is,
the layers of guitars which come and go and interesting, and whilst ‘Mediation
Ecstatic Energy’ isn’t going to stop the Universe, it’s certainly worth getting
on board for a ride.
‘Aura Peeled Off’
starts with a rock feel and could be lifted straight from the 70s before
crashing into ‘Out Of The Crown Head’ quite literally. The transition from track to track is poor,
with a new one starting without gap or mix, or, fade in and out. It’s like watching American TV where you have
no warning of an advert or a programme restarting. It’s frustrating and actually quite amateur
sounding.
Comparisons could be
made to Mike Oldfield and ‘Tubular Bells’ in so much as the way each piece
appears from nothing and morphs into grand compositions, and, it’s probably
easy to see this album fitting in nicely alongside. That’s a compliment of sorts, by the way.
The intro to
penultimate track, ‘Vision Waterfall’ sounds more like the theme from ‘Twilight
Zone’ than maybe the theme does itself, and, closer ‘Tall Call Cold Sun’ is a
gentle end to an album of interest, but, possibly not longevity.
7/10
Links
Published on Louder
Than War 16/09/13 - here
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