This week, Modelbau released another weird cassette single. It consists of two short tracks of five minutes each, and if you are not a musician, let me tell you: It’s really hard if you normally make long tracks to dedicate yourself to a limited timeframe and create something with a certain goal of meaning. Most things I know of Modelbau are those longer, meandering minimalist ambient compositions. And here, it’s all done within five minutes. That is weird.
‘Memories Of The Space Age’ has a bit of a meandering feeling, but it also has rhythm … Yes, you read that right, it’s got rhythm. Tribal basses and nothing from Midi channel 10, but those opening moments make you think… Just for a moment, though, because with the first pads and swooshing sounds, you know it’ll be alright. ‘Myths Of The Near Future’ seems a bit more based on field recordings and ultra-heavy manipulation of those. Combined with some ambient sounds which could be generated from just about any source, this is how we know Modelbau. After two minutes, you’re in the mood, and the atmosphere is set, continuing for the remaining time …
What I think I noticed is the difference in clarity between the two tracks, just as if the ‘memories’-track is created in a DAW while the rumbling and small artefacts in the ‘myths’-track kinda feel like they’re generated from tape loops – or at least built on that luscious tape compression, sometimes on the verge of being ‘too’ saturated … All and all two short ones from Uncle Frans that do not disappoint. And if there was any complaint, it’s the fact that it is way too short. But since I started the review with some thoughts about the length of drones, I’ll now shut up and play it again…
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