Murcof and Philippe Petit - First Chapter

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 15 / 8 / 2013

Murcof and Philippe Petit - First Chapter

Label: Aagoo Records
Format: CD

Over-indulgent and meandering joint album between Barcelona-based experimental electronic music Murcof and French minimalist composer, the first in a planned series of albums

Review

There is a stand-off of some proportion on the first stage of this proposed set of albums in which Barcelona's Murcof's prepositioning of sharp yet æsthetic sounds challenges Toulouse's Petit's somewhat conventional electronic, quasi field recordings. The 'First Chapter' is very far from easy on the ear. It does, however, have pleasant Trans-Pyrenean reverberations. Ear-ringing qualities labour their way through this puddle of sonic adventure, upon which bit by bit, a form of human involvement is eventually allowed in. 'The Call of Circé' takes up twenty minutes, being loosely shaped around a Murcof pattern, before being stuffed with all sorts of elements of creamy Philippe Petit's musique. 'Pegasus' is positioned in the middle of the album, and is followed by 'The Summoning of the Kraken' upon which Murcof and Petit gracefully challenge each other. Yet one can't help but have the feeling that this time-consuming exercise in drone and minimal music offers little new. Allow me to re-direct you to Murcof's truly magnificent music for the Versailles exhibition of lightworks from yesteryear, as the introduction to his work. To the initiated, the Sonar Congregation as it were, the 'First Chapter' will appear familiar with just a few moments of false tranquility. Perhaps I'll like 'First Chapter' much better when the last chapter has been published. 'First Chapter' is an unfinished symphony at this moment, but I there will be more creepy Kraken creations next time round.