Search - Birchville Cat Motel :: Siberian Earth Curve

The Sound of a Billion People Screaming for their Lives

N. R. MACLEAN | new zealand+scotland | 02/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"what it is about this music that makes it so listenable yet, at the same time completely unlistenable, is a mystery. when I say `unlistenable' I imagine that that's what the average person would think. to me, this is unstoppably intense, barren, juicy, gorgeous, thick noise/music that makes me want to listen forever. I'm thirsty for this music. it's an oasis in a desert.



normally, after deciding I love the sound of something, the unlistenable-to-anyone-else-factor would appeal to me as a bonus and make me love it more. but with this music, it transcends any need for such bonuses. instead, such is my passion for it, I am keen to spread the good word of BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL to whoever happens to cross my path.



although this description has surely been attached to far weaker contenders, I would say it was the sound of the end of the world. it certainly resembles the sound of a billion people screaming for their lives. this is highly evocative music, only nobody is sure what it is evoking because the event has not happened to any of us yet. perhaps it is a premonition of a journey to hell.



it is the unwavering and relentless layered drones that build and subtly meander their way, onwards through time, forever, perhaps, which draws you in. unfortunately technology dictates that a compact disk contains only 78 minutes of music and therefore a certain condensing must take place. on this disk, there are 5 tracks, the longest 17 minutes, the shortest around 10. 17 minutes of this violent bliss in one sitting seems like nothing. you become so absorbed in BCM's universe that you realize that you are in a state of shock on returning to the real world.

it is quite a revelation realizing that this particular combination of machine noise can affect you in such a way. I would recommend listening to any one track for at LEAST 5 minutes without interruption. that way the bewitching effect can be released into your system. also very important: please play LOUD.



I usually have some feeling of guilt when indulging in such uncommon aural therapy in relative public. with this, however, although there is that feeling that you are offending every human and some animals within hearing distance, the feelings of selfishness quickly turn to delight, and this is easy justification.



having only discovered this music a matter of weeks ago, I still feel that there will always be a place in my head for BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL, particularly because I cannot imagine anyone or thing coming anywhere close to this lad from lower hutt.

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