Random Number - Towards The Forlorn Society
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 4 / 12 / 2003
Label:
Catmobile
Format: CD
intro
Dark, but never depressing electronica from former member of Hood, Random Number
The loneliness that is inclined in the title finds an impressive impersonation in sound. On 'Towards A Forlorn Society' Random Number, a former member of Hood, combines whopping electronica with themes of desertion and desperation. Nostalgia, instead of melancholy, however, saves the album from becoming pure isolation with electronic instruments. Yes - or should that be: No!? - it's a case where grimness beats griminess. There's a duel evolving and while spirits are lifted on the latter part of the album, the first bursts and spurts differ quite strongly from say, the composure of the sound of Hood. Anyone unfamiliar with the remote tranquility of Hood will not be surprised by these harsh, sharp noises. Random Number however portrays this type of electronica differently though, since he's come from playing 'genuine' instruments and is not a sound programmer by nature. Amongst a variety of other instruments, the mellotron Random Number squeezes out on thematic tracks sound like stretched chords battling with sparse smotherings. Seemingly at first a twill of tweets and twatter, Random Number puts on layers that add a dimension at first unnoticed. The veil drops and gentleness enters the world of Random Number. 'Towards A Forlorn Society' is close to classic composing because of it sometimes deeply pessimistic texture. After several listens the unpolished numbers change to melodies with lots of disturbances on top. Blunt and honest, the album reflects a moody beauty.
Track Listing:-
1 Hold 12 The Instances
3 All Things Become History
4 Calculating A Hate/Love Threshold
5 Under Milk Wood
6 Base And Superstructure
7 Not Needing
8 Obligatory Exit
9 The Oresund Fixed Link
10 If It Escapes And Gets Out, Then What Do You Do?
11 I Have A Plan
12 Still Treading The Same Lanes As Last Year
13 Belligerent Refusal To Die
14 Hold 2
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Deep Purple - =1
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart