No Use for Humans: Live at Retromedia

No Use for Human's Live at Retromedia, is an amalgamation of electronic sounds from Steve Honoshowsky, who plays synths and keys; Mike Noordzy, contra alto clarinet; and Sean Wegeler, Roland Fanton; and Mike Biskup on guitar. The CD was recorded live before a crowd of 20 of the band's best friends and fans.

"No Use for Humans is the brain child of Steve Honoshowsky. The music materialized into a live act in 2003 with keyboardist, Sean Wegeler and has since had a rotating cast of musicians including Mike Biskup, Willy Carmona, Alicia Testa, Mike Noordzy, Matt McCormack, Ben Ross and many others. Sometimes a solo act, sometimes a large ensemble, NUFH has included live film scoring, game pieces, visual art and choreography into the live performances. The music is a unique blend of electronic, experimental, avant, prog and often film score based themes" ( http://www.nachtrecords.com/fr_home.cfm, 2011).

This is a good change of pace album to take you away from your normal routine. Full of great synths and drum effects.

For me 'Star Death' is by far the best track on the album. The first time I heard the album was from the CD player in the car. It is a cool rolling thunder track full of mesmerizing electronics and synths. Very spacey and full of mystery. Wish the whole album had been similar, because this track really got things off to a great start. The thudding drums and loops work well to help create that powerful inner space soundscape which makes excellent travelling, headphones, or music to fill your room. The live audience is a nice touch.

'D4' brings more cool drum rhythms and syncopated electronic elements that at times sound like birds. There are also some cool 'rubbery' sounding synths which make this the next best track on the album. The xylophone like electronic elements add a nice touch to the soundscape. When the pace picks up the sound gets even better.

On 'Bear Tooth' vocals are added to the mix. The track opens with some brittle electronic keys and effects, then wavy synths rise and fall all around the soundscape adding to the dimensions of the piece.

'New Perspective' is another cool spacey synth track full of Vangelis like weaving patterns and cool Peter Gabriel – like percussion.

'The Effigy' opens with more spacey synths set to Peter Gabriel 'Security' – like drum patterns. Noordzy's contra alto clarinet is the cool addition to the soundscape.

'Broken Hope' has more wavy and groovy synth sounds with supporting bass and guitar.

'8 Tongues' opens with some cool percussion effects before the synths join in. Cool Middle Eastern tones and sounds prevail on this track.

'Tom's River' is another track with vocals, this time the melody and lyrics remind me of Springsteen's 'The River', but the credit goes to Patrick Veil. It's full of those spacey key and synth sounds set to electronic drum patterns.

'Impetigo' opens with more spacey drum and percussion effects as the grinding synth machine revs on. There are some cool string effects which add variety and dynamics to the overall sound. At 5:53, it is the longest track.

The closer, 'Anorgasm' is full of bouncy rhythms and bubble – popping synths. The drum – work is also exciting and full of bounce and power.

This is cool and different electronic synth music.

Track Listing

1. Star Death
2. D4
3. Bear Tooth
4. New Perspective
5. The Effigy
6. Broken Hope
7. 8 Tongues
8. Tom's River
9. Impetigo
10. Anorgasm

Added: June 11th 2011
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: More Information
Hits: 2228
Language: english

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