Terrestrial Tones - Dead Drunk (Album Review)

 

Terrestrial Tones - Dead Drunk

(2006)


My copy: 2006 pressing by Paw Tracks.


Terrestrial Tones is an experimental electronic duo composed of Eric Copeland (Black Dice) and David Portner (Animal Collective). Dead Drunk was their last release back in 2006, and it is a challenging mesh of digital groans and augmented vocal performances. “Car Fumes” is a good introduction to the tricks Copeland and Portner use to create their utterly vexing songs. The first thing we hear is a piano melody that is looped throughout the track, but Copeland and Portner challenge listeners by obscuring obvious melodies with sputtering digital tones and twisting synth bass. The vocals are heavily affected and obtuse, as if they were recorded by aliens speaking their native tongue. The litany of digital effects sparks imagery of a haunted gameboy chirping and clicking all on its own.

There are moments of airy ambiance, though they are few and far between. “The Sailor” features more alien vocals and slowly builds upon itself with new additions; these are thoughtfully crafted pieces, and one would be wise to not dismiss this album solely for its challenging and at times disorienting nature. A swung synth melody is the reward for bearing further into “The Sailor” and the distorted vocal shrieks are the closest thing to fun that is openly had on the record. There is a lot of respect to be had for crafting such a creative work, but this album’s approach can certainly feel as though it lacks in big payoffs. 

There is a prankster mentality almost, one that can be heard on early Animal Collective records or even Black Dice albums: the duo seems to find joy in hiding the catchy, pop elements beneath layers of whirring noises and tones. “Plow man” is the most actively engaging, as it begins with what sounds like a possessed washing machine that swirls rhythmically. “Plow Man” has the most overt vocal melody; a hummed chant that is harmonized with before fading into a whirlpool of new sounds. This album feels like being trapped in a strange computer world that is populated by colonies of primal digital beings.

“Future Train” sounds like a low quality recording of a live performance that is backed by ghastly wails and washed out percussion. “This Weekend Now” closes the album out with bizarre and intimate vocals and lo-fi synth bass. Vocally, this album is very ambitious and shares obvious connections to early Animal Collective albums such as Sung Tongs or Danse Manatee. Dead Drunk essentially feels like a Black Dice record with the freaky vocal input of Avey Tare. This is an album that rewards patience and more open-minded palettes; I won’t assert that it is some experimental masterpiece as it is no surprise to me that many would dislike it, but there are very interesting sonic concepts expressed on Dead Drunk that make it a worthwhile release for avid fans of Black Dice and Animal Collective. 

You can buy this record for dirt cheap online.


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