MODELBAU – Neither Nor

Artist: MODELBAU
Title: Neither Nor
Keywords: experimental abstract ambient drone minimal noiseAugsburg
label: Attenuation Circuit http://www.attenuationcircuit.de/

Nearly’ is the starting point on this fine Modelbau release, a project by the legendary sound man Frans De Waard who is also the creative brain behind the longest running source for alternative experimental music Vital Weekly. This information might have nothing to do with the track, but gives you a good impression that this is the sound of a sound veteran who not only earned his skills by doing things himself, but also by hearing many different releases; let’s say that he has been around. Not surprisingly ‘nearly’ is living up to the high expectations a listener and fan of Modelbau might have; a very intoxicating hallucinating mix of audio goodness, filled with detail and rhythmic precision it forms a buildup of great suspense. It’s like a distinctive robotic march in a clean alien surrounding, warm, fuzzy and fearlessly electronic.

With ‘Nullify’ Modelbau gives even more warmth, a nice collusion of crackles, interesting backdrop of unknown business and a superb coziness of a machine like sound that softly hums as if it is a relative of a didgeridoo. But don’t sit back too comfortably as Modelbau will pierce your ears right out with ‘Nostalgia’. A loud but high bird-like expression that seems to be on a high voltage, repeating its thrilling sound in rapid speed with a growling cat like purr attached to it. Feelings wise it is exciting like a wake up call and yet comfortable cozy at the same time. Slowly Modelbau seems to trigger more nature into the thoughtful event, making me as a listener hallucinate and dream up magical swamps full of new born critters and other mysterious life forms. Very interesting, especially because it might be all electronic, while it all sounds so nature-like.

With ‘Namesake’ Modelbau takes this theme of creating bizarre natural sounding worlds born out of sonic experimentation to the next level. The result is a scene in which imaginative frogs quack, fuzzy bees flap their microscopic wings next to the microphone and a atmospheric glow of sound fosters it all under its wishful blanket. Also worth the trip is ‘Niche’ , a track that conveys kindness and love with a minimal sound that instantly gets into your heart like a well designed love letter. Slowly the card opens up and miracles of wonder seem to flow out; a tonal melody so nicely stretched out that it becomes a euphoric master piece that gets listeners who happen to be under the influence of LSD to hallucinate of pretty rattlesnakes doing a beautiful mating dance with a pretty purring cat; a scene of rainbows, sunshine and excitement in a loving kind of way!

All the way at the final end there is ‘Nevertheless’ which has a more industrialistic techno feel to it. A repeated electronic bass activity that shimmers to the point throughout the recording, almost functioning like a railway for the more floating sounds to follow and fly over. These sounds are warm but dark, like morning drops on the grass; cool and fresh and not so sure what lays ahead on the day. A smooth soundscape of changes in mood that might implode or go for a more subtle end; it will keep you hooked and full questions, as if the story isn’t finished and will continue in a next Modelbau release. A great listen so please do so:
https://emerge.bandcamp.com/album/neither-nor
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