TOM RECCHION

— First review of this album —

An interesting electronic experimental album that still maintains a lot of catchy melodies buried in the mix. TOM RECCHION was a leading member of the Los Angeles Free Music Society, which was a loose collective of experimental musicians from the area specializing in radicalism and playfulness and free improvisational noise music. The Society hosted other avant-garde artists such as Smegma and is actually one of the few such organizations still in existence to this very day.

This album falls firmly into the sub-genre of plunderphonics. The gist of the first several tracks and some strewn about are based on exotica samples. The types from the 50s or 60s and sound like Bossa Nova or other swanky nightclub type jingles from that era. Overlaying this template is a bunch of wild and experimental clicks, ticks and synth sounds and musical notes going in and out of tune and different experiments with tape music. As the album progresses the tracks become more spacey and highly experimental but even on these there tends to be some kind of blanketed melody that can be discerned. All tracks tend to be under 4 minutes so none wear out their welcome.

For me this is a very pleasant album that doesn't bore me to tears with seemingly random noises that have no connection to each other but totally work together to create a somewhat celebratory feel while at the same time often feeling spooky and alienating. This is admittedly not for everyone. Keep in mind that this is above all experimental music filled with totally unconventional sounds that may trigger strange reactions! Lovers of progressive electronic music will surely love this but those unfamiliar with this type of music should not expect something easily accessible.

Just on a personal note, this is an album I have actually owned for well over a decade and for some reason after one listen I threw it on the shelf only to collect dust. After revisiting neglected albums recently I put this on and to my surprise actually found it quite a good listen. I guess I wasn't ready for this bizarre electronic music the first time I heard it but it's always a wonderful feeling to know that there has been a good album on your shelf for years without even knowing it just awaiting the day when you would rediscover it and be psychologically of the mind to actually enjoy it :P