Nmperign + Dörner, Beins

Nmperign + Dörner, Beins

★★★

This is one of my first real excursions into a more "modern" form of improvised music, EAI, lowercase, whatever you call it. Who knew that two trumpets, a saxophone, and a percussionist could make such estranged and textured music in such a cold and absent environment. I think that's safe to say for a lot of EAI music, at least in my experience. I do plan on going down this path further as it does intrigue me and draw me in for basically the entire duration of the album. 

The main thing here is the real non-human nature of the entire recording, but also its organic feeling. It's anything but a human creation, originated from the remainders of human machines that have evolved into something new, surrounded by ancient and young species of various animals. All of which are completely isolated in this completely neutral and empty space; nothing but the reflection of themselves everywhere. Of course these are all scenarios in my head, but that's what all music does for me. And I think EAI does a fantastic job at creating some of the most diverse and extreme scenarios for me. It's something to focus on, and can definitely change per each listen. It just depends on what my mind specifically attaches to during their primitive complexities playing. 

And to be realistic I think this happens to me due to their rapidly changing and vivid textures across the board. Not only are they appealing to the ears in a very simple sense, but they serve as those trigger sensations that can take you somewhere. Much like when you use your other senses; and EAI is the sort of master of this. To me, a reasonable analogy is eating at a three Michelin starred restaurant. One that serves very minimalist and "advanced" food, but still serves its purpose in transporting you or opening you up to new things. That experience doesn't come often and there's no real way to replicate it either; it just clicks or it doesn't. And I feel the same about EAI.

While it's captivating and intense and very expansive, this album doesn't seem like something I'd come back to. And on another note, my dad was in the room with me as this played and I'd like to share some comments he made: "I hope you didn't pay for this", "That sounds like a choking monkey", "What is that, a hose being slapped against the sink?", "That must be someone blowing up a balloon". And really I think there's a lot of sense to that. It made him think of those things, it got inside his head-space and subconsciously he burrowed it in. That's powerful.

Favorite Song: Nmperign - [untitled]