I could not decide which album I wanted to review this week, so I compromised with myself by deciding to highlight Kranky Records’ releases in 2007. Kranky released about four records that made it on my “top 10” list last year. Bruce Adams and Joel Leoshke started Kranky in Chicago with the release of a Labradford record in 1993. Ever since, they have stayed true to releasing cutting-edge music that progresses the use of electronics and noise in experimental, pop, post-rock and electronic music. Some staple Kranky bands over the years include Low, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Out Hud.
Kranky’s 2007 catalog is impeccable, with some of the strongest ambient and experimental pop albums of the year reaching many critics’ top 10 lists. Deerhunter’s “Cryptograms” and “Fluorescent Grey EP” both came out early last year. Deerhunter’s albums are only topped by their live shows, which take the noise, drone and fuzz of their recordings and create a heavier, more complex wall of sounds as the layers of noise combine with the repetitive pop hooks to lull the listener into a mesmerized daze.
White Rainbow is one of my favorite electronic acts to follow, as Adam Forkner of Portland, Ore. explores space with psychedelic and ambient drone, oscillators, loops and sequencers. On “Prism of Eternal Now,” Forkner is a disciple of composer Terry Riley, as the song “For Terry” suggests and the minimal repetition of a theme confirms. Closely related is the Cloudland Canyon release entitled “Silver Tongued Sysiphus,” which contains two tracks around 10 minutes long that loop and layer as sequencers jumble and play with tones for a subtle, complex sound.
Now, my personal favorite ambient release this year was Lichens’ album “Omns.” Lichens is dedicated to an organic sound that he achieves by layering his voice and guitar without any effects other than looping for layers and an e-bow on his guitar that builds a distinguishable drone. Lichens is Robert Lowe, and he has recorded with 90 Day Men and TV on the Radio as well as collaborating on albums this year on the Holy Mountain label with White Rainbow and Cloudland Canyons. The collaborative efforts only further distinguish Lichens as a brilliant innovator with a universal concept behind his music that can accompany a myriad of musical genres.
To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie’s album “The Patron” captures a noise rock highly distinguishable and unique, versatile enough to be abrasive and comforting at the same time. The band’s female vocalist will appeal to the most latent of radical revolutionaries. The Stars of the Lid album “Stars of the Lid and Their Refinement of the Decline” is simply an ambient, drone masterpiece. The double-disc album tops out at 120 minutes and is impeccably crafted to develop sound waves that oscillate, combine and separate contrast, and compliment and draw the listener in for an aural experience unparalleled by any other ambient group. The group will be passing through California for a rare tour in April.
Charalambides, Strategy, and Andrew Pekler also put CDs out on Kranky in 2007, and the guitar-driven pop, micro house and conceptual electronic albums respectively deserve more than the nod this limited word-count allows.
Kranky’s artists continue to push the envelope with their music, engaging and challenging listeners to discover a new approach to listening to music. If you enjoy any of these bands, you would most likely enjoy “<5 Min. is BS," "Worship the Glitch" and "Teeth and Fur" on KCPR, 91.3 FM. Brian Cassidy is an English senior and a music director for KCPR, San Luis Obispo, 91.3 FM. He's also completely full of it.