Icarus – Sylt

“Let’s Experiment.” Two words strong enough to ruin any relationship. Here, I’m using them as fair warning. Hell, even the cd itself suggests you file it under genre “Unclassifiable”. What we have here is an album that may well actually be the sound of Daedalus pottering around in the prison workshop trying to manufacture some wax wings.


“Let’s Experiment.” Two words strong enough to ruin any relationship. Here, I’m using them as fair warning. Hell, even the cd itself suggests you file it under genre “Unclassifiable”. What we have here is an album that may well actually be the sound of Daedalus pottering around in the prison workshop trying to manufacture some wax wings.


 


“Let’s Experiment.” Two words strong enough to ruin any relationship. Here, I’m using them as fair warning. Hell, even the cd itself suggests you file it under genre “Unclassifiable”. What we have here is an album that may well actually be the sound of Daedalus pottering around in the prison workshop trying to manufacture some wax wings. Saws, hammers, nails, planes and vice grips – I wouldn’t be surprised to hear if any or all of these were used in the making of this album. There’s a track (song is a totally inappropriate word to use) here which contains what sounds like a helium balloon deflating, a bunch of pebbles rolling down a washboard and a couple of electronic gerbils having sex – all at the same time.


 


That’s right, this is as mad as a badger. It’s also quite interesting, if you like experimental soundscapes. If you don’t, this will sound like the rhythm section of a Bjork album, with the vocals and instruments stripped away. If you like Matmos (another Bjork link) then you’ll like this. If you don’t, then please walk away and find something a little more formulaic instead.


 


This feels more like performance art than an album as such. I’m glad I gave it some time – even all 18 and a half minutes of  First Inf(E)Raence – and I applaud it’s integrity, it’s creativity and the incredible way it has been structured and put together, (this was recorded live, for fuck’s sake!) but it’s hard to recommend it. This is not an album for everyone. If you’ve a broad, open mind and are occasionally found reading the art section in broadsheet newspapers, then give it a shot, by all means. You may just find yourself a guilty pleasure. Or at least something to have a debate about over your next dinner party. This should be played in a museum, not a bedroom.


 


Words : Damian Leslie


 


Click here for Icarus Website