Exploding Blue Floor Martin Denny - Ashtray Navigations
Label: 8mm Records Release Date: 2008
I really enjoy a majority of the 8mm Record releases I have heard, so I had high hopes going into this. I like the artwork as well as the handmade vibe of the jacket. The vinyl is the perfect color blue as well, so bonus points for aesthetics. Immediately I am greeted with a frenzied attack, I enjoy this very much. Slightly reminiscent of Flower Corsano Duo, but doesn't come across as technical. The next song reminds me of so many drone tapes or records I have heard. Nothing specially really, unless my assumption about a fuzz factory being used in which case I am slightly amazed... Nothing too surprising about this side. I find that a majority of the sounds are pretty common for the type of music, although the delivery is solid.I also take note that every track is mixed different, so you run into certain tracks that are much louder than others. Maybe an artistic choice? Who knows... I flip the record and find myself enduring the first track on the B side. Oh well. The bright and shining star of this record was hiding though, I found myself completely enamored with "Lazy Boredom." This particular piece seems like a field recording, or has the essence of one. The percussive nature of the track coupled with the low drone occupies a part of my brain that is usually running at warp speed. I sit back and listen to what sounds like a power sander on metal. It sure does sound nice. A motorcycle passes, they need a baffle for their muffler. At first I thought it was part of the recording.. Slowly the grinding stops and the drone takes on a new intensity and finishes out the track. I have to say at certain points I really enjoyed this record but it wasn't memorable all the way through. I will listen to this again, but probably just for the track "Lazy Boredom."
Rating: 4/10