Search - Merzbow :: Merzbuddha

Merzbow is important

06/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While not my favorite merzbow album (i think the earlier Important Records' release Merzbeat is far superior), I do think this makes for a nice album. I find it helpful for lulling me into a trance. Good afternoon relax music. I put it on and read comix or novels or make artwork. I think the connection to dub is a little over-emphasized. Sure, he uses lots of delay, but not necessarily moe than other albums - and had there been no mention of "dub" on Important's release info, I don't think I would have made the connection necessarily.



This is more closely related to Pan Sonic than a lot of the other merzbow albums he's made. the three pieces are somewhat indistinguishable (they're called Trance 1, Trance 2 and Trace 3), though I think the 3rd is the best. Skittering beats, bleats, noise, harshness building, rumbling, bumbling, breaking, ending. A natural progression for merzbow, but nothing too revolutionary for his sound.

Bottom line: if you're a merzbow (or noise) fan, and especially if you like his more recent use of computers and beats, check this one out. if you don't like noise, this ain't the album that's gonna convert you. better get some barry manilow instead. if you don't own the Merzbeat album, i would suggest getting that one instead."

Wow, you could actually meditate to some of this...

J. Bjorne | Huntsville, AL. USA | 11/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, so I've heard a lot of Merzbow. I own more Merzbow than any sane person should. I finally put this one on today and was totally floored. I've heard enough Merzow to know that he doesn't do just steady screeches of noise for a hour or twelve. Some releases are shaded differently (merzbeat with more of what sounds like guitar and drums), but Merzbuddha blew me away, especially the first track. Want to talk about a deep and hypnotic rumble? This is the first Merzbow album that I've gone back to and hit replay on as soon as it finished the first time. I'm really glad I finally listened to this album, in my opinion it is his best. But then again, maybe tomorrow I'll listen to one of the other 20 I still haven't heard and like one of them better. The influence of dub on this album is very pronounced, but its not a 'dub' album. If you've heard any dub, you'll know what I'm talking about if you hear track one. The other two tracks are solid, but that first track is worth the price of the disc in my opinion, and its around 21 minutes. The disc is about 59 mins long, you get some bang for your buck, but then again, you always do with Merzbow."