Shhh… – I, Of the Storm (Vinyl Album – Thisco)
Genre/Influences: Experimental, industrial.
Background/Info: Rui Bentes is an old servant from the Portuguese underground scene. He was involved with numerous projects, but now strikes back as Shhh… a project he set up in 2003.
Content: The A-side features 4 cuts, which are mixing different influences. From dark-ambient atmospheres to industrial noise treatments, the composition is first of all pretty experimental-like. Some parts are carried by slow rhythmic patterns.
The B-side features one single, but long-duration track. It clearly features different parts, which have been meticulously brought together. The ambient side of the work is mainly emerging at the surface.
+ + + : “I, Of The Storm” is an interesting sound collage, which is mainly recovered with dark sound atmospheres. I also like the industrial sound treatments, which are mainly coming through at “The First Day Of Heavy Rain”. The B-side cut entitled “A Swarm Of Us” has been meticulously built up, comparable to a spider web that is progressively recovering the listener. I like the soundtrack approach of this cut.
– – – : The front cover of this album is pretty weird. You can see a half opened eye of a beast, but there’s no other info featured (not even the name of the project or title of this release). It has something intriguing such as the sound, but I’m not sure it’s the best strategy to catch the attention of listeners.
Conclusion: Shhh… strikes back with a diversified work, which remains pretty experimental although rather accessible.
Best songs: “A Swarm Of Us”, “As She Drives By”.
Rate: (6½).
Artist: http://www.shhh.pt / www.facebook.com/shhhmusic
Label: www.thisco.net / www.facebook.com/thiscorecords
About Shhh…
Shhh… is the project of Rui Bentes, born in Portimão, Portugal, in 1973. Before starting Shhh… in 2003, he played in Orh+ and Kradiolina Nicotine and took part in improvised-music sessions with the A Gaveta and Contramaré collectives. He has lived in Lisbon since 2002, where he completed an advanced sound course at ETIC.
Shhh… has released material on labels including This.co, SPH, Enoughrecords, Cold Model Records, Floppy Kick Records, Signal Void and Cobra Records, and Bentes has collaborated with artists such as Sci-Fi Industries, Dave Phillips, Thisquietarmy, Rasal.Asad, Anla Courtis and Philippe Petit. Outside Shhh…, he also produces work under his own name for theatre, dance and audiovisual installations.
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