Physical Changes at Dusted

“Astonishing. Absolutely astonishing. This is an ideal future for noise and experimental releases. Let’s just hope the rest of the wide, unfocused and less convincing pack take notice. In “Physical Changes”, accomplished percussionist Mueller (primarily of Collections of Colonies of Bees, as well as stints with members of Swans, Rhys Chatham, and others, his Myspace tells me) has assembled a quality cast of cohorts to achieve a multi-format survey of mechanical desolation, as told through metallic sound layers of unknown origin. Co-conspirator James Plotkin helps craft the two sides of the LP into the soundtrack for the Machines as they crush the bones of vanished humanity. Dense apocalypse drones for a dismal future, mastered flawlessly loud and clear. The DVD (with visuals by David Dinnell) drapes a funereal haze over common landscape scenes, appropriating imagery that would not be out of place in a black metal record, but here it is almost the perfect partner for the post-industrial soundscapes by Mueller and company. The CD offers the most song-like (and almost out of place) compositions, if only for using identifiable instruments in its two half-hour offerings, which play off one another in a synergy, as is common to each format. The collaborators include members of Wilco, Collections of Colonies of Bees and others, and without delving into the histories of each person it suffices to say they all contribute to the big picture of this release. I do not dabble in noise too frequently, so I would expect some to be let down by this, but the clear and thematic vision, replete with stark black-and-white art, is 100% convincing for me.”

*Edited slightly due to inaccuracy/spelling errors

You can find the source here.