Aspectee - Morben Mp3

Aspectee seems to refer to a paradox: Is it someone who is subject to the constant alignment of the angle he has to an object? Like the beholder becomes the 'beholded' (sic!). Is there a form of reverse perception? I can only guess what kind of kafkaesque reification context has lead to this project name. But maybe it's just a weird (helgeesque) kind of humor. The latter assumption may seem right, if you know the name of the previous project the artist was involved (Evoke Scurvee) and that he is a big fan of German comendian Helge Schneider.

Nonetheless a high level of tension exists in all tracks between melodic pad sounds that seem to serve the only purpose to seduce the listener just enough to have her drawn through all the grinding noises that drill into the mind deeply. And that's what makes the difference between pleasing light ambient music, which only wants to tranquilize you, and dark ambient that's willing to mess around with your mind badly -- in similar ways Helge Schneider does, not using music, but jokes. The destruction of the punch line as the ultimate goal of artistic expression is the aspect Helge and Aspectee share. The elements, skillfully arranged in each track, stay separated until the end, as irreconcilable antagonisms. Another reviewer stated that the album is not straight enough. But this is a misconception. It's very straight, though it may make you feel uneasy. Only the last track 'unwic' offers some salvation. Forgivable, if one keeps in mind that this is still a product that has to follow some rules.

If you are the type that enjoys to think, feel, and exist in contradictions: give Morben a try! I'm still not through with this album -- just enough to write a review. Maybe once again, as with Evoke Scurvee, the artist is way ahead of the Zeitgeist. But this time he cared to get a label.

The Reviewee