HR109 - City Of Worms - H.C.A. - C60 — 1989
Side A:
ANIMAT ALGRIST MORBLE CROWS STRUST KA*** |
Side B:
H C A |
REVIEW by Jerry Kranitz
On the H.C.A. tape City Of Worms was the duo of Jeph Jerman and George Ericson (earlier having been a trio with Steve Beckner). I’ve been acquainted with a bit of Jeph’s work. He also recorded as Hands To and Big Joey, and was in Blowhole, which had a varying lineup of musicians. The H.C.A. cassette album was recorded live at various locations throughout 1988-89.
‘Animat’ opens the set with a combination machine shop/tribal pow-wow/clock ensemble rhythmic pulse. The beats are supported by supplemental percussion, elephantine horn squalls, and other miscellaneous effects. It’s minimal but lots going on and has a great groove. ‘Algrist’ is different, being a metallic grating, throb-pulsing, voice samples textural piece. Though a little harsh, it has a pleasant noise-ambient quality I enjoyed. ‘Morble’ returns to the theme ‘Animat’ created, with some variation on the effects and soundscapes. ‘Crows’ drops the intensity a few notches to create a cavernous, clanging percussive blast minimal soundscape. But… surprise! After a while we hear periodic weirdo chant vocals, which adds a tasty touch to the sound sculpture. ‘Strust’ is the most musical track of the set. A repetitive, hypnotic melodic phrase leads, along with a bouncy, upbeat percussive riff. Wrapping up the A side, ‘Ka***’ goes in yet another direction, being the most quietly subtle track of the set.
The entirety of Side B is taken up by ‘H C A’, a September 8, 1988 live performance recorded at the BBP Film & Video Festival. Feeling somewhat like ‘Animat’ and ‘Morble’ in its rhythmic flow, the performance sets a lightly noisy, rolling industrial groove. Voice samples and other sounds add subtle variety throughout. Lots of great variety on this tape!
On the H.C.A. tape City Of Worms was the duo of Jeph Jerman and George Ericson (earlier having been a trio with Steve Beckner). I’ve been acquainted with a bit of Jeph’s work. He also recorded as Hands To and Big Joey, and was in Blowhole, which had a varying lineup of musicians. The H.C.A. cassette album was recorded live at various locations throughout 1988-89.
‘Animat’ opens the set with a combination machine shop/tribal pow-wow/clock ensemble rhythmic pulse. The beats are supported by supplemental percussion, elephantine horn squalls, and other miscellaneous effects. It’s minimal but lots going on and has a great groove. ‘Algrist’ is different, being a metallic grating, throb-pulsing, voice samples textural piece. Though a little harsh, it has a pleasant noise-ambient quality I enjoyed. ‘Morble’ returns to the theme ‘Animat’ created, with some variation on the effects and soundscapes. ‘Crows’ drops the intensity a few notches to create a cavernous, clanging percussive blast minimal soundscape. But… surprise! After a while we hear periodic weirdo chant vocals, which adds a tasty touch to the sound sculpture. ‘Strust’ is the most musical track of the set. A repetitive, hypnotic melodic phrase leads, along with a bouncy, upbeat percussive riff. Wrapping up the A side, ‘Ka***’ goes in yet another direction, being the most quietly subtle track of the set.
The entirety of Side B is taken up by ‘H C A’, a September 8, 1988 live performance recorded at the BBP Film & Video Festival. Feeling somewhat like ‘Animat’ and ‘Morble’ in its rhythmic flow, the performance sets a lightly noisy, rolling industrial groove. Voice samples and other sounds add subtle variety throughout. Lots of great variety on this tape!