Pan Sonic: Katodivaihe

pan sonicThis was nice. A record i really wanted to hear, that I was hoping would be good, and turned out to be better than I expected. I've had this one on loop for the last couple of days, which is pretty rare. What I like about Pan Sonic is the way they manage to make electronic instruments sound like just that, electricity being forced and moulded into something that can blow your mind. This is probably their best album to date, being more consistent than their previous releases. It is, in the same way as Kesto (their overwhelming 3cd set) roughly divided into sections. A moody opening, with the oh so tasteful inclusion of a cello, that gets harder and harder before dropping off and into some truly brilliant sound collage type pieces worthy of the conrete musique composers themselves. My favourite section is the last, tracks 11-14 are just so fucking good. That kind of visceral power that makes you feel as happy as a a pig in shit. Hinaaja, or Tugboat in english is so awesome that when it ends anything else sounds flat (except for the remaining tracks that is). The return of the first track in a different guise at the end is perfect giving the album a very nice self-enclosed feel. Pan Sonic are the perfect example of controlled power. Whilst Whitehouse and Merzbow et al may have harder sounds the feeling of restraint in Pan Sonic makes the noise that escapes so much more intense. You may have heard the stories about how they record all their tracks live, and have a third member who makes all their equipment, both of which are true by the way, but you can't understand how great they are until you crank up the volume till your ears are almost bleeding and have the rush of being caught in the orgy of distorted tones and beats that they crank out. Buy this album. Pan Sonic: Katodivaihe - Blast First Petite/Cargo.