Alva Noto - Transform

Complete digital abstraction from Alva Noto on his album TRANSFORM. I'm not exactly sure what he's transforming, but the contrasting high and low tones that preface the rhythmic thrums of "M 01" suggest it's sound itself. The computerized soundscapes that emerge on the album reject traditional notions of melody; instead, it embraces a sense of pure sound. So even though you may imagine a night time scene with crickets while listening to "M 03," the composition leaves itself open to interpretation. The click rhythms of "M 04" impose an appealing structure to the track, and the symphony of buzzing on "M 05" almost become song-like. The bits of harshness in "M 08" harken back to the good ol' days of industrial, while "M 09" almost sounds like Autechre, but less dense. The overall effec is -- needless to say -- chilly to the extreme, but the cerebral nature of the music itself justifies the coldness.