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Belgium sure has its drone and ambient talents, often armed with a guitar and a rack of effects. In fact, Stratosphere created his inspiring guitar drones and soundscapes before people like Dirk Serries would start using the guitar. At least, that's what I heard during a conversation between Ronald Mariën, Dirk Serries and myself. I met them at the most recent edition of Dunk! Festival and I loved Stratosphere's new album 'Rise' (read review). So I couldn't resists asking Ronald for his Songs With Stories, and here they are...
Tool - Schism
How can one describe Tool... actually, I don't think that's possible. They're a style on their own. The fully drawn out story-lines thatall songs actually are, just have to be listened to in their entirety. That's why so many Tool songs are long, but they're never too long. Unique about Tool is the build-up of the atmosphere. Dark, threatening, yet melodic and harmonic. And the ingenious drums by Danny Carey aren't really lightly digestible. Adam Jones' genius isn't limited to just the guitars. This and Jones' visuals make every performance by Tool unique. And you can never predict what Maynard James Keenan is up to this time. So yes, this about sums up why Tool is so unique.
How can one describe Tool... actually, I don't think that's possible. They're a style on their own. The fully drawn out story-lines thatall songs actually are, just have to be listened to in their entirety. That's why so many Tool songs are long, but they're never too long. Unique about Tool is the build-up of the atmosphere. Dark, threatening, yet melodic and harmonic. And the ingenious drums by Danny Carey aren't really lightly digestible. Adam Jones' genius isn't limited to just the guitars. This and Jones' visuals make every performance by Tool unique. And you can never predict what Maynard James Keenan is up to this time. So yes, this about sums up why Tool is so unique.
Cocteau Twins - Blind Dumb Deaf
I love repetitive music. There are so many artists and genres to choose from, but for me this song by the Cocteau Twins is number one. Sometimes the build-up is very fascinating, but in Blind Dumb Deaf it's just the repetition that makes it unique and catching, together with the dark atmosphere and the quirky vocals by Elizabeth Fraser. Later Cocteau Twins albums, which I appreciate very much too, are more dreamy, atmospheric and melodic. For me they're a big influence. In the nineties (at least, I think it was the nineties) I had the luck to see them live at AB, Brussels. I'll never forget that concert. The tape recorder in the centre as drum track, but certainly Robin Guthrie on guitars, were a revelation for me. Also Guthrie's later solo work is really my cup of tea. No surprise here...
I love repetitive music. There are so many artists and genres to choose from, but for me this song by the Cocteau Twins is number one. Sometimes the build-up is very fascinating, but in Blind Dumb Deaf it's just the repetition that makes it unique and catching, together with the dark atmosphere and the quirky vocals by Elizabeth Fraser. Later Cocteau Twins albums, which I appreciate very much too, are more dreamy, atmospheric and melodic. For me they're a big influence. In the nineties (at least, I think it was the nineties) I had the luck to see them live at AB, Brussels. I'll never forget that concert. The tape recorder in the centre as drum track, but certainly Robin Guthrie on guitars, were a revelation for me. Also Guthrie's later solo work is really my cup of tea. No surprise here...
And So I Watch You From Afar - The Voiceless
The energy and power radiated by this band is unbelievable, both live and recorded. I've seen them performing live a few times, and every time it's like a bomb exploding from the first note on. An unnameable, unstoppable train. Impossible to remain standing still. I can only guess how these guys pull it off! And yet, that's what they do. They're also very down-to-earth, very humble and extremely grateful to their fans. The repetitiveness of this track is what appeals to me, like you could have guessed. So if you get the chance to see them perform live, don't hesitate.
The energy and power radiated by this band is unbelievable, both live and recorded. I've seen them performing live a few times, and every time it's like a bomb exploding from the first note on. An unnameable, unstoppable train. Impossible to remain standing still. I can only guess how these guys pull it off! And yet, that's what they do. They're also very down-to-earth, very humble and extremely grateful to their fans. The repetitiveness of this track is what appeals to me, like you could have guessed. So if you get the chance to see them perform live, don't hesitate.
Kraftwerk - Numbers
Ralf Hütter and his gang are not only one of the greatest pioneers of electronic music, bur for me these Germans have been a starting point of musical exploration. Stratosphere started off as a synthesiser project, and that's where Kraftwerk has played an important part. Not by copying them, but by creating atmosphere. For me the right atmosphere, no matter the genre, is a key point. Being able to create emotion through electronics... Trans Europe Express in its entirety is a nice example of this. And again, the repetitive aspect is strongly present. Actually it's hard for me to choose just one Kraftwerk track, but Numbers (and preferably the German version Nummern) is one of my favourites.
Ralf Hütter and his gang are not only one of the greatest pioneers of electronic music, bur for me these Germans have been a starting point of musical exploration. Stratosphere started off as a synthesiser project, and that's where Kraftwerk has played an important part. Not by copying them, but by creating atmosphere. For me the right atmosphere, no matter the genre, is a key point. Being able to create emotion through electronics... Trans Europe Express in its entirety is a nice example of this. And again, the repetitive aspect is strongly present. Actually it's hard for me to choose just one Kraftwerk track, but Numbers (and preferably the German version Nummern) is one of my favourites.
Autechre - Gantz Graf
Mostly they're loners: Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, ... but for me the duo Rob Brown and Sean Booth take it a step forward. Their first album, Amber from 1994, is quite easily digestible, but that changed quickly. The chaos these guys produce is otherworldly. Could they be aliens? I want to believe... Seriously now, because this is actually the case. How do they do it? Every song is different, every album is innovatory. Every time I look forward to what they'll come up with now that's never been done before. And that's exactly what intrigues me enormously. Being able to renew yourself in that way, it makes me jealous. So the magnet for me is theunpredictability of Autechre.
Mostly they're loners: Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, ... but for me the duo Rob Brown and Sean Booth take it a step forward. Their first album, Amber from 1994, is quite easily digestible, but that changed quickly. The chaos these guys produce is otherworldly. Could they be aliens? I want to believe... Seriously now, because this is actually the case. How do they do it? Every song is different, every album is innovatory. Every time I look forward to what they'll come up with now that's never been done before. And that's exactly what intrigues me enormously. Being able to renew yourself in that way, it makes me jealous. So the magnet for me is theunpredictability of Autechre.
This Will Destroy You - Communal Blood
From their first album 'Young Mountain' on, it was clear for me that This Will Destroy You wouldn't remain a typical post-rock band. Clearly they're the misfit in their genre. Then they wrote 'Tunnel Blanket', a total experience. A masterpiece that they've equalled with 'Another Language' but couldn't outdo. The atmosphere in this album is great too, and especially 'Communal Blood'. There are so many great post-rock bands, but unfortunately a lot of them tap from the same barrel. This Will Destroy You chose another brewage: a tripel! The masters of dark atmosphere tend to play in the darkness, which only benefits that atmosphere. What they do is, again, unique. And, again, the same rule goes up for live and recordings. Inspiring!
From their first album 'Young Mountain' on, it was clear for me that This Will Destroy You wouldn't remain a typical post-rock band. Clearly they're the misfit in their genre. Then they wrote 'Tunnel Blanket', a total experience. A masterpiece that they've equalled with 'Another Language' but couldn't outdo. The atmosphere in this album is great too, and especially 'Communal Blood'. There are so many great post-rock bands, but unfortunately a lot of them tap from the same barrel. This Will Destroy You chose another brewage: a tripel! The masters of dark atmosphere tend to play in the darkness, which only benefits that atmosphere. What they do is, again, unique. And, again, the same rule goes up for live and recordings. Inspiring!
