What kind of a ripple are you trying to create? Because there are so many kinds. There's the 2x4 to the face, often effective—I like it a LOT—and then there's the Fluorescent Vibes way: the subtle, the subliminal, the hinted at; the "it's ok if you get it, and it's ok if you don't" brand of putting it out there.
I knew these guys were gold the first time I heard them, or to be more accurate, put on their Possibilities cassette absentmindedly. I asked myself, "Is this an old Eno tape, one that I've played so many times, that it sounds like a band playing across the river, and the river is on fire?! Whoa, no, it's that Fluorescent Vibes thing I just bought from Paul Haney." From this crystal awareness came my invitation to Phillip and Corey to come join us live at the Castle.
And lest you think I'm talking strictly 70s-style Cluster & Eno emanations here, think again. As these sets prove out, Fluorescent Vibes also rock the digital doppler with great finesse, similar to 90s favorites of mine like Microstoria and Hajsch.
These performances are delicate, thoughtful, and cluttered with sonic surprises and engaging, dissonant beauty. A great many thanks to the band for allowing me to title the sets, and that's where my two cents ends appropriately.
Fluorescent Vibes
Set 1 - How Beautiful the Silence
The usual accolades to Glenn L. for Conny Plank-like sensitivity to the material in his mix of the live session, and to Tracy Widdess for her magical alterations of my crap photos of the band.
cluster and conny plank, I don't think so. sounds just like another generic ambient group. There's tons of dudes all around the USA and the world making that stuff in their bedrooms with cheap vintage old Rolands. Good attempt maybe but they have a long way to go. But since they are from Brooklyn, it's no wonder that they are getting over hyped here at the WFMU blog. They are probably friends of WFMU. WFMU over hypes anything from Brooklyn, at least anything that comes out of the "trust fund ghettos". They do not over hype the other things in Brooklyn, like the real hip hop, the teenage Haitian hookers, and so on...the real Brooklyn that does not get featured in Vice or Entertainment Weekly. People always say that L.A. area people are always full of themselves and the things from their city but to me, in the last few years the people of the NYC area (especially Brooklyn) have taken the new crown for this. But please keep the future Julian Casablancas and Telepathe's to yourself, nobody needs to hear their trust fund musings.
The dude in White Rainbow could make this in his sleep. i love the way reviewers throw around names like cluster and conny plank so freely to describe some dorks who just bought a echo pedal and a microkorg.
Posted by: avo | April 07, 2010 at 09:29 AM
I am not a "reviewer" throwing around names. I've been listening to this kind of music, and doing a show on WFMU off and on since 1984. Where's your radio show, Mr. Opinions? Don't equate me with WFMU overall, while in the process making some sweeping comment about how we all praise everything from Brooklyn. I've been an intense music fan/listener since I was a toddler, and I'm in my 40s now, so don't insinuate that I'm suddenly following some Brooklyn-based praise trend. This is the music I love, whether it comes from Detroit, L.A., Finland, Germany 1972 or Bushwick. What's written above are my actual impressions and feelings about the music. These guys were not friends of mine BEFORE I acquired an interest in their music.
You are quite obviously an embittered musician yourself who can't afford Brooklyn rents, and imagines that if only you could, you would be famous and embraced by WFMU. I'm not keeping anything to myself, not when it's this good. Take a look in the mirror, avo, then kill yourself.
Usually I delete negative comments, but I didn't want you to think I was just silencing an opposing voice. There are no conspiracies here at WFMU, at least not on my show. I either like stuff, and play it/praise it to the heavens, or I don't.
Posted by: WmMBerger | April 07, 2010 at 11:03 AM
DUDE HARSH
Posted by: Positude | April 07, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Harshness begets harshness. Slap me, I will thrash you in return.
Posted by: WmMBerger | April 07, 2010 at 12:16 PM
A remarkable live improv. I can see why these guys got your attention. I found myself repeatedly listening to the tracks, and wondering what a studio release would sound like. Some notes from the performers about what was used would be most appreciated.
Posted by: K. | April 07, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Besides avo, from your comment, it's apparent to me that you merely skimmed the tracks, entering into it with weighted, even angry, preconceptions. Tell me you gave these tracks a real chance; I'll be shocked.
K. --- Thanks for digging. I will not divulge Corey & Phillip's gear secrets—that's up to those guys!
Posted by: WmMBerger | April 07, 2010 at 01:24 PM
Julian Casablancas?
Posted by: Brian Turner | April 07, 2010 at 02:34 PM
Should ambient sounds yet pour from a faucet (or the toilet for that matter) I'd drink it up, but it's nice to have a natural spring around, thanks WmMBerger & WFMU!
Posted by: dave | April 07, 2010 at 05:27 PM
What gets into me sometimes?!
Posted by: WmMBerger | April 07, 2010 at 11:22 PM
I love the way trollers assume that no thought was given to my points of comparison. Been listening to music likely since you were diapers, dude.
Posted by: WmMBerger | September 09, 2012 at 02:18 PM