NagMet - "Water is Conscience"
NagMet is a collaborative project between Daniel J Harris from the USA and Nico Jongenelen of the Netherlands. There are 24 tracks here, mostly characterised by experimental poetry set to similarly experimental music, though the duo explore many different musical territories in the process. The Thought is funky poppy rock meets experimental hometaper weirdness. But... He's Naked features recited lyrics over throaty chanting. Elbows On High is a multi-part piece taking in neoclassical cello, spooky surreal poetry backed by experimental sound effects, and rhythmic yet dreamlike electronic music. Time & Less has none of the eccentricity and overt experimentation of many of the other tracks, instead being a sophisticated neoclassical instrumental based around piano and strings. Ha-PP-PP-PP-PP-PP-y combines funk, prog and electronic beats with that sense of experimentation that characterises this band's work. The Swing sets poetry to heavy riffage and dark sound effects. My Favorite Blanket does not conjure up the feeling of snuggly comfort that its title suggests, but instead comes across like a slicing nightmarish soundtrack to an imaginary horror movie. Bizarre, unsettling music sits alongside moments of understated beauty, as well as music that puts an experimental spin on pop, rock or funk, the whole thing being given a sense of cohesiveness by Daniel J Harris' distinctive poetic style and the artistic experimental air that pervades the entire album.
Reviewed by Kim Harten (Bliss Aquamarine - http://www.blissaquamarine.net)