http://mapsadaisical...wordpress.com/2008/12/18/..3ofmillions-immediate-space-..dairy/3ofmillions, Immediate (Space Dairy)
December 18, 2008 in album reviews | Tags: 3ofmillions, space dairy
immediate3ofmillions
Since the break-up of Triosk, I’ve been curious as to which direction
pianist Adrian Klumpes would take. Triosk themselves were the most
patient and focused of bands, while Klumpes’ solo release Be Still
fused his impeccable improvisatory playing to some more experimental
electronics. The dichotomy was starker with the debut single from his
new trio 3ofmillions - between its shorter accessible a-side and its
much longer and much more abstract b-side. To an extent, this
schizophrenic approach continues with their debut album Immediate, but
it is never less than a thrilling listen.
The opening pieces seem to give notice that Klumpes is settling back in
to more familiar territory. “Her Subtlety In My Subconscious” is the
most Triosk, with repetitive piano phrases set to a pulsing cymbal, and
it is followed by the tension-building figures of “The Toll”. It isn’t
to last, with the threesome heading to the ditch for a punch-up
immediately thereafter: “Inconvenient Thankyou” sparks and flashes with
Cecil Taylor-like piano flurries, further illuminated by huge crashes
of cymbal while the bass rumbles solidly behind. From there it keeps on
heading further out: “The Hand Of God” is a jagged squiggle with superb
drums wriggling to escape the loosest of frameworks imposed by minimal
piano and crackling electronics, while “Conscription” has the
skronkiest of noise being nailed in place by a militaristic drum beat.
It is only on the twenty minute last track that they rein themselves in
once more. “Accepting What It Is” builds at a Necks-like pace with
stately, almost Reichian piano arpeggios and a wash of cymbal, before
completing its journey by seemingly dissolving into a hazy electronic
jungle.
The demise of Triosk has given Klumpes license to make much deeper
navigations into what were, for him, uncharted territories. Further
exploration on your part is highly recommended - Immediate is available
with immediate effect from the 3ofmillions website.