POLE

"Kotrill" (16:35) begins with a sputtering electronic sound rhythmically upping the tempo as counterpoints of electronically induced sputterings join in and drop out to create a free flowing river of synthesized sounds that meander on to infinity. The pitch is tense and gradually changes higher and lower as the percussive spastic drip sounds drop in and out randomly. The back masking of vocals eventually joins in as the dissonant electronic callithump parade strolls down free improv alley. The gist of this piece is that one element dominates while the others slightly change it up around it. As one drops out, the other becomes the leader. After a while a synthesized "free fall" sounds like it jumps out of an airplane for a while before it's joined by a jittery hyperactive "typewriter" sounding electronic percussive attack. All of these different elements take turns entering the scene and then dropping out. This title track is a very effective alien sounding track that offers hidden patterns embedded within but totally out of the context of anything remotely melodic. Despite the absence of melodies, the rhythmic drive becomes quite pronounced by the end of the track practically obliterating the cosmic electronica swooshiness in the background.

"Osiris" (3:30) is the "little" track stuck between the two lengthy behemoths. This one begins with what sounds like a theremin raising and lowering pitches with a percussive monastery type gong or something of the sort creating a background soundscape while whizzing electronica buzz around like angry hornets coming and going as randomly as pollinating honeybees in a blooming springtime meadow. As the percussion drops out the electronic buzzings start to talk to each other and create unnerving tension that ends sounding like a UFO just abducted someone and hyperspaced out of the galaxy.

"Villin Gen" (20:52) is the second sprawling track that begins with an unnerving drone sound that sustains one note before a second note joins it and sustains longer than expected. An unexpected melody slowly unfurls reminding of a very chilled out "Saucerful Of Secrets." The background ambience sounds like a UFO hovering in the distance just close enough to feel the uncertainty of its nebulous intentions. As the track continues the simple organ notes become entrancing with only a faint heartbeat type of percussion in the background. The UFO flying sounds also take a back seat but never really leave and change pitch and tempo and sometimes even drop out. In the middle it becomes more drone induced with water dripping. As the heartbeat loop continues on, the track slowly unwinds and fades out. This one is the most minimalist of the three tracks and the most hypnotizing as it sprawls on.

KOTRILL sounds like no other album and rightfully earned a place on the tripper's Holy Bible of experimental music "Nurse With Wound List." While it could be compared to early electronic pioneers like Finland's The Sperm or the more experimental freak outs of Can on Tago Mago, those are only the closest approximations. PÔLE was fairly ahead of its time for electronic music and created soundscapes totally unlike anything the Berlin School scene or other free form experimentation of the day were releasing. It wouldn't be until the 80s and 90s that other electronic acts would catch up and create equally alienating soundscapes utterly divorced from convention. Unfortunately the two PÔLE albums along with the entire catalogue of the label were only released on vinyl LP. Although there was a second pressing by the Tapioca label, these albums remain some of the most mysterious and obscure of what the 70s had to offer and easily go for hundreds of dollars. Needless to say they are in dire need of being rediscovered and re-released for a new era. I find this type of free form noise mixed with scant musical elements to be a very difficult tightrope act to accomplish. As with all minimalism, it takes a heavy dose of restraint to prevent a total derailment of connection and with KOTRILL there is a perfect flow of elements that align in the exact right places. I'm simply enthralled with KOTRILL like i am with scant few other albums of this sort. Someone PLEASE re-release this! It needs rediscovery! This one is only for the most adventurous seekers of all things lysergic ;)

"Inside The Dream" (25:00) begins with an acoustic guitar softly strumming pleasant folky chord progressions with a little chirping in the background and as the guitar slowly fades into prominence a little synthesized atmosphere begins peeking through the folk- laden soundscape and then something completely absent from "Kotrill" emerges - vocals! While the acoustic folk melody loops around the key chord structures an oscillating electronic sound vigorously vibrates behind it before exiting the picture. Another different melodic synth line takes its place. After a while the hypnotic acoustic begins to bring early Pink Floyd to mind with the soft sensual psychedelic folk of tracks like "If" from Atom Heart Mother. While one would think that the repetitive nature of the undulating folk would become stagnate, the subtle electronic effects keep things changing up just enough to keep the whole thing flowing and then about half way through the acoustic guitar takes a back seat and avant-garde electronic oscillations sound like interdimensional beings reprogramming the space-time continuum to insert secret messages from the other side. After they subside the acoustic guitar chord sequences shift gear. After a while the guitar and electronica trade off in free form style in completely unpredictable ways. Toward the end a percussive drive emerges as a glissando guitar sliding action takes over. A bass also joins the party making this a full-fledged melody! Welcome to tripper's paradise!

"Outside The Nightmare" (15:00) takes a completely different approach and begins with a pulsating electronic sound that cedes to a less structured buzzing sound. Get the folk outa here and let the freakery unfurl! This one is much more free form but the certain aspects continue to peek in and out of the random parade of sound. As the track progresses more layers of sound pile up creating a smorgasbord tapestry of electronic embellishments. While a drone layer slowly changes its pitch, a more percussive drive drips forth and swooshing effects sweep around like a random plastic bag circling the city streets on a windy day occasionally becoming trapped in sonic eddies. A slightly X-files type of alien music creeps in with tinkling keys that truly sound totally out there. This is exactly the type of music i imagine when i think of ETs making contact and taking us to their galactic jukebox for their chill time! As if all those freakery weren't enough, it continues with what sounds like psychedelic sirens engaged in a choir of shrill utterings juxtaposed into alien musical scales. This is certainly one of the weirdest and most satisfying electronic experiments i've ever heard although this one does bring Berlin School tripsters Klaus Schulze, Cluster or Tangerine Dream to mind although in their most adventurous undertakings!

"In The Maelstrom" (5:00) is more a rhythmic affair that has a steady Krautrock beat as heard from Kraftwerk or Neu! although the synthesizers are layered to create a dense tapestry of counterpoint melodies. The sounds are dark and brooding but deliver a steady rhythmic drive with key changes in the melody at regular intervals.

While INSIDE THE DREAM is not nearly as alienating or shocking as "Kotrill" it is also a perfectly paced album. Generally speaking, the two PÔLE albums will appeal to two different spectrums of the adventurous music seekers. "Kotrill" will thrill lovers of chaos, noise, free form and the utterly alienating whereas INSIDE THE DREAM will please those who love the progressive electronic sound when accompanied by some sort of traditional music structure. This one is much more based in melodic developments and never strays far from steady percussive drives. Personally i find both sides of the spectrum equally exhilarating and i cannot find one flaw in either of the PÔLE albums. To me they released the perfect pair of super cool experimental music and look forward to the day when they finally get the attention they deserve and are re-released for a new modern world of tripsters.