Rural Tapes is the signature of the Norwegian producer and multi-instrumentalist Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen. He releases his latest album `Contact`, his forth this month. The world is hurtling at breakneck speed into the future as everything around us becomes increasingly autonomous, yet with the new album `Contact`, Rural Tapes is putting the breaks on and taking things back to a more organic approach, favouring old analogue equipment and historic instrumentation over new technological advances.
In a career which spans almost twenty years, Arne has been a part of important Norwegian bands such as I Was A King and Heroes & Zeros, while more recently has been releasing records in the bi-continental jangle band The No Ones with Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey from R.E.M. and Minus 5 along with I Was A King frontman Frode Strømstad.
The album opens with `Patchwork` which sounds and almost insets an image, for me at least, of taking a train journey and that satisfying feeling of contentment and security. The soundtrack is interweaved with soundbites and occasional noises. At around seventy one seconds `Opus 1` is a kind of pallet cleanser of sorts. A brief but delightful old time sounding piano based waltz.
`Tape Collage #1` is the same length and what it says in the title. A collection or mix match of sounds and snippets all spliced together. We enjoy a much more reflective aural experience with `By Dawn` which does allow that feeling or experience of a sunrise of sorts. A rhythmic percussive beat and a wavering synth guide us into this new day.
`Run Rapid` illuminates a retro kind of television thriller or detective series introduction music or theme tune. The title of `Check One, Two` is something you hear as the road crew prepare the sound mikes at a gig and it`s similar here but veers off into a slightly distorted texture towards the end.
`Alien Territories` does inspire a sensation of isolation, desolation, or fear of the unknown. The album closes out with `Waves` which has an electronic drum beat at it`s heart and becomes wonderfully mesmerising. There are short sections where people`s conversations are blended throughout this enticing sonic landscape.
`Contact` was an interesting concept and presentation. It appears to encourage you to take time out of your busy schedule or day to listen to something almost lateral to your lifestyle with a view to gaining some deeper feeling or knowledge, a contact or connection of sorts maybe.
Arne Kjelsrud Mathisen plays organs, synthesizers, mellotron, piano, drums, drum machines, percussion, acoustic guitar, zither, gamelan, tuba, field recordings and tape units. He is joined in parts by Lars Løberg Tofte (bass), Marin Stallemo Bakke (violin), Sigurd Thomassen (acoustic guitar) and Øystein Braut (electric & steel guitar).
`Contact` is something that is worth setting some time aside and interacting with. I`m sure the effort you put in will be reciprocated by what you take out.
Rating 8/10
REVIEW : RURAL TAPES – CONTACT (2024)
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