Kinski - Alpine Static

  by Andrew Carver

published: 3 / 6 / 2005

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Instrumental combo Kinski has been making a name for itself with its driving, almost krautrock psychedelic instrumental music. On its fourth album (counting 'Don’t Climb On and Take The Holy Water', which was recorded by the band’s soundtrack-loving alter ego Herzog) the Seattle quartet offers more post-rock proto-psyche that you just know would sound better live. Many of Kinski’s tracks follow a simple formula: They pick a riff, then add a few more layers of similar riff. Then they pick a second riff, repeat a few more layers of that, then find another riff, repeat, all the while reintroducing previous riffs. Throw in a drone or two, then return to another riff, and add those layers to the layers of the drone of the riff of the layered riffing drone; which then drones under the riff of the other riff that returns to the reintroduced riff that then riffs under another riff that drops out to be replaced by another riff that then drones riffingly until the riff then adds a layer which then drones under the riff of the other riff that returns to the reintroduced riff that then riffs under another riff that returns to another riff, and adds those layers to the layers of the drone of the riff of the layered riffing drone that droned earlier; that drops out to be replaced by another riff that then riffingly drones until the riff then adds a layer that … sorry, where was I? Anyway, repetition is the name of the game. The band has certain sonic similarities to Sonic Youth; The Heads would be another valid comparison. The band has also worked with Acid Mother’s Temple on an EP where they covered each other’s tunes and performed as a combo, though they aren’t nearly as wild as that combo. Acid Mother’s Temple's influence is most evident on the atmospheric 'The Snowy Parts of Scandinavia', with its faint flute work by guitarist Matthew Reid-Schwartz and sudden explosions of din. Listeners can also entertain themselves with amusing song titles like 'Artie Shaw’s Wives' (if there’s a 'Begin The Beguine' reference in there I couldn’t find it) and 'Hiding Drugs in the Temple (Part II)'. A good album, but they’re doing a world tour behind it, and one can’t help but think the live show would be head and shoulders above it.

Track Listing:-

1 Hot Stenographer
2 The Wives Of Artie Shaw
3 Hiding Drugs In The Temple (Part 2)
4 The Party Which You Know Will Be Heavy
5 Passed Out On Your Lawn
6 All Your Kids Have Turned To Static
7 The Snowy Parts Of Scandinavia
8 Edge Set
9 Waka Nusa

Label Links:-

https://www.subpop.com/
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https://plus.google.com/+subpop
https://twitter.com/subpop
http://subpop.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/subpoprecords

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