Roman Leykam & Frank Mark – Experience Space (CD Album – Frank Mark Arts)
Genre/Influences: Experimental, psychedelic, cinematographic.
Background/Info: If you’re somewhat familiar with the small, independent and experimental label Frank Mark Arts you for sure will be familiar with both protagonists from this work. Roman Leykam and Frank Mark indeed have already released multiple productions together while they both are established label artists.
Content: This new opus is a sonic travel throughout minimal and experimental-like music creations. The main aspect of the work is a kind of alternative play/use of all instruments. From electric guitar to bass to guitar synths to midi trumpet to fretless bass to shortwaves to voice samples to piano every single piece reveals an atypical and alternative way of using instruments to create noises and sonic atmospheres. From total experimentalism and a kind of improvisation to psychedelic passages, “Experience Space” sounds like being composed in a sonic laboratory instead of a studio.
+ + + : I deeply respect this label and its artists for their perseverance and the never-ending exploration of how to create new sounds with familiar instruments. It creates a specific atmosphere filled with endless effects. Some cuts have a visual appeal and I’m especially recommending the opening cut “Tumult Of The Senses”. There definitely is some prosperity emerging from this experimentalism. This work also features an artistic digipak format.
– – – : This kind of work will always appeal for a very restricted number of adherents. It remains pretty abstract and hard to grasp. I’m missing some real vocal parts to get the entire production maybe a bit more accessible.
Conclusion: Roman Leykam & Frank Mark sometimes make me think of a movie of David Lynch. You try to understand the plot, but in the end you’ll never seize all the details. This is a truly sonic puzzle.
Best songs: “Tumult Of The Senses”, “Sources Of Friction”, “Roots”.
Rate: (6½).
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