Black Dice - Miles Of Smiles
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 11 / 4 / 2004
Label:
DFA Records
Format: CD
intro
Stunning new EP from noise experimentalists and Fat Cat label signings Black Dice, which finds the band enforcing sounds from an increasingly unlikely set of devices and instruments
Tension builds as Black Dice enforce sounds from an increasingly unlikely set of devices and instruments rather than play music from keyboards or from a guitar. Ethnic new wave this may well be, 'Miles of Smiles' was originally recorded by Nicole Vernhes for the 'Poetry of Sex' exhibition in Tokyo 2002. Vocally harmonic layers, while in fact still human, roll off sounding like the buzzing from crickets, the snoring from unspecified animals and the recorded sounds of ingredients being twisted and turned in a jar. They interact in a hypnotic rhythmic pattern. In its turn this rhythmic pattern is reminiscent of a xylophone-like keyboard instrument. 'Miles of Smiles' stands out through its entire length and to me sounds as if a visual artist after some creative moments has left home and gone to the market feeling hungry. It's the everyday sounds, 'found recording' as it's called, that will draw your attention. Two lengthy wanderings on a CD single is not always a prototype for pop culture, though perhaps as a recommendation you ought to know that Laurie Anderson's 'Oh, Superman' has had an influence on 'Miles of Smiles'. Owning both records wouldn't be harmful. The second track 'Trip Dude Delay' builds up and exhibits extremes. Innocent echoey superman vocals get trashed by Merzbowy thunder and percussion avalanches plus near atomic destruction sounds. File under Crooklyn Dub. It has become a genre. Declared official.
Track Listing:-
1 Miles of Smiles2 Trip Dude Delay
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/Black-Dice-59323771359/http://blackdice.net/
https://twitter.com/echobro
Label Links:-
http://www.dfarecords.com/http://store.dfarecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dfarecords
https://twitter.com/dfarecords
http://dfa-records.tumblr.com/
http://dfarecords.bandcamp.com/
Have a Listen:-
live reviews |
|
Spitz, London, 31/3/2004 |
|
| New York ensemble and Fat Cat signings Black Dice recently toured Britain with their experimental music. Emma Haigh is enthralled by a show that is both "spontaneously individual, and strangely conversant between it’s three performers" at the London Spit |
reviews |
|
Mod Prog Sic (2022) |
|
| First LP after a ten year hiatus marks the return of witty and eerie New York City trio Black Sice |
| Mr Impossible (2012) |
| Repo (2009) |
| Broken Ear Record (2005) |
| Creature Comforts (2004) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Garfunkel and Garfunkel Jr. - Interview
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Clive Langer - Interview
Sukie Smith - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
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