If your typical song form is musical prose, these pieces are poetry. The vocabulary is the same, but the use of it is freed from common structure.
This latest work on the Audnoyz creative continuum envelops you in an aural journey, filled with unexpected genre juxtapositions and eclectic sonic pairings. Like previous Audnoyz releases, many of these tracks are not bound or beholden to the confines of popular form.
It’s all here and more! From a poignant triadic rock anthem to the sonic poems of searing vocalese, to genre-bending mashups where 16th century Baroque meets 21st century jazz rock fusion, and, contemporary indie remix. In a departure from previous releases, we find the inclusion of acoustitronic tracks: the blending of acoustic guitar, pedal steel, and violin with electronic textures, sequences and ever-present beats imbued with exotic vocalese spontaneously captured in a few fleeting, magic moments.
Like the Audnoyz Project releases before it, one does not listen to Audnoyz Project Vol 4 as much as one experience it. This music envelops you in a viscerally spectacular, rich, rhythm driven, and multi-referential mind/body experience.
In a moving tribute, and a gift to the world, many of these Audnoyz compositions lovingly showcase the supremely beautiful vocals of the late Patty Barkas in a way that frames her unique art in a fitting context that only he could have devised.
This music arises from the searing depths of emotion, the places we all sometimes fervently wish we didn’t have to go and, emerges from there with all the resilient power of the human spirit to make the best from the worst.
About the Tracks
In the Clouds- Here we find the simple beauty, longing, and strength of the triadic rock anthem, with all the elements that make those great in a truly unique iteration. It needs no further explanation.
CG Sunrise- The sheer power of this piece will bring you back to it again and again. The great strength of Patty Barkas’s voice, evoking the power of the universe is aptly matched by the primal open strings if the guitar in its most natural key, its place of deepest resonance.
CG Inspiration- A contemplative piece featuring an unusual 8 beat figure over long sweeping guitar textures, just enough contradiction.
Tell Me More- A magnificent and spontaneous coming together of a poignant vocal performance of Patty Barkas with the improvised accompaniment of Angie Shyr’s expressive violin. Very little has been changed from the original first takes of each. Sometimes magic really does happen.
Aud Vision – an exploration of the textures of analogue synth with modern techno rhythmic patterns, reminiscent of those far more ancient.
CG Expo- The human voice doesn’t always have to use words, words don’t always have to be sentences. Leave the linear world and free expression can take us to places that words in the traditional framework can never go.
Art Angel- A rock ballad, and so much more. Artful and existential, Patty’s vocals fit perfectly over a piece Steve had no idea he was composing for them, until they came together in this soul joining composition that crosses the boundaries of life and death.
Out of the Mist- If all there ever was was guitar, well, maybe that would be enough. In this sure handed piece Audnoyz demonstrates the range and breath of expression possible with just that.
Tehtan Sky- This piece begins cinematic and bombastic. It is an exploration of the voice as instrument to take you somewhere: a cry of rage at a world out of control? Perhaps a stamping of our presence on that world. Or is a powerful dance track? Or something else it conjures for the listener, from some place deep in their own emotion?
Sink or Swim (Dan Kaplan) Audnoyz Remix. Dan provided the stems to his Sink or Swim composition. Steve shows his appreciation for Dan’s songwriting by honoring his song-craft with the Audnoyz aesthetic, providing a large noble context for the alternative style song, which are rarely enhanced by significant orchestration. Another Audnoyz juxtaposition.
EDULERP- this remix and rearrangement of a Bob Ponte/JS Bach composition called Prelude joins the 16th and the 21st century is a fusion that complements both. The Baroque composers of Bach’s era were enthusiastic improvisors, which makes their compositions perfectly suited for jazz improvisation that emerged from the American stew much later. The piano and guitar solos both highlight this with energy, verve, and skill. When the old and the new blend so perfectly, isn’t that truly universal?
Credits
Steve Thomas, all production (including programming, slicing, dicing, mixing, mangling, mastering); acoustic & electric guitars
Featuring the melodious vocalese/vocal samples of Patty Barkas
Kylie Thomas backing vocals on In the Clouds
Frank Basile, Drums on In the Clouds, Tell Me More, Art Angel and EDULERP.
Maggie Rizzi, bass on Art Angel and EDULERP
Bob Ponte, Piano on EDULERP
Ruth Mendelson bass, native drum and percussion sounds (just about anything that could be struck in the room) on Out of the Mist
Angie Shyr, Violin on Art Angel and Tell Me More
Cover Image “Arizona” by Connor Dunham
Special thanks to Karen, Kylie, Alexa, Mliss and Pat for seeing me through all and, Dr Riz for the artful words that capture the zeitgeist of Audnoyz music.
