Recorded in Massachusetts probably earlier in 2023, I am currently listening to the tenth instalment of the X-series of +DOG+. As I started reviewing the X-series as of ‘X6’, you already know that +DOG+ is Steve Davis, label owner of Love Earth Music, and he loves to experiment with noises and effects. And each “X” is a combination of tracks with a certain link/concept between the tracks. This time, the link between the tracks is ‘elements’, so let’s see if we can listen and come up with some excellent connections.
The release opens with ‘Helium’, a short track with high-pitched vocals. I’d almost say, of course, because we all know why. Then ‘Boron’ hits the speakers for one minute and a bit. Massive harsh noise in spurts, no HNW, but incredibly heavy and sharp sounds. ‘Beryllium’ is a beautiful minimal drone ambience with scarce sounds. Probably, the minimalism is a link to the material being so rare. The fourth track is again a short one, and again a noble gas “Neon” with small outbursts with lots of reverb, as the gas lights up in an electric field perhaps.
‘Fluorine’ must be my favourite with ‘Beryllium’; it has the same minimalist approach, but fewer sounds fill the emptiness. Then there is a second short “Helium” interlude because playing with Helium is fun! The final track of this little over 50-minute release is “Lithium”; as with lithium, I get mixed feelings here. The ambience is beautiful, but the sounds used are quite distorted. So, it sort of fits with lithium salts being used to treat bipolar disorders. But as I’ve talked about with Steve in private, this is all just a personal interpretation of what I’m served as your humble reviewer. On towards X11 !!
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