RFCL- Live at Godspeed
(Black Note 048)
From Aural Innovations #39 (May 2008)
Radio Free Clear Light is JC Mendizabel (aka Kyron) and Live at Godspeed was
recorded during a ritual performance in Oakland California in July 2007. TRACK
ONE: Interesting and spacey repeated riff. At the end the piece picks up the
tempo with live drumming and sounds pretty damn great! The songs go from one
to the next with no break! TRACK TWO: Yup, some badass drumming by Jim Sienkiewicz
with intense space noise backdrop of Lydia Harris, Etanna Zak and Kyron. At
around 3:30 some fearsome female vocal moaning. the music gets very moody and
ambient! "Captured for you on this 50 minute disc is the dungeon like atmosphere
of Godspeed transformed by the demented beauty that lived there for one night,
before slipping away into the dark in search of a new host." At 7:35 some
intense cymbal crashes. I've reviewed a couple of Kyron's previous releases
and gave him not so good reviews but I have to admit this is pretty badass,
I'm impressed! TRACK THREE (10:29): Industrial drum hypnobeat! Then comes various
accompaniment, then some bass! Yes, it's very Krautrock! TACK FOUR keeps going
nonstop thru all the songs! Another variation on the Krautrock theme of rock
drumming with experimental backdrop! Gets a little samey but still good! TRACK
FIVE: Back to the ambient female vocal. Yes, it's very nice! I bet this was a
cool show to attend! TRACK SIX: A pre-recorded vocal loop of "the nation
worships demons," more drum beat experimental space rock! Finally starting
to sound a little old hat, 80's retro sounding but still interesting! Some nice
synth riffage! TRACK SEVEN (11:30): Funky deep end bass riff along with female
wailing. Yup, it's cool! Almost too slick for experimental music, more like
dance music! Very nice pristine sound, especially for live! At around 6:40 the
drums stop and it changes moods into more reflective, to me more interesting
music! Nice space drone with female vocals!
You can visit the record label web site at: http://www.blacknotemusic.com
Reviewed by Carlton Crutcher