Hideous Replica — True Scale: Live 2014​-​2019

No Sides Records presents True Scale: Live 2014-2019 CD by Hideous Replica. The Brooklyn duo of Dan Hintz and Frank Rose record and perform using only iPods and their amplifiers. Despite being active for a decade and having many recordings available on their bandcamp page, True Scale appears to be their first widely available physical release. 

Before I get to the meat of True Scale, I should say that I've never been overly fond of live releases. With few exceptions, they typically lack in audio quality and, as a live artifact, rarely convey the energy of the performance. As far as live recordings go True Scale is pretty good for the first couple tracks, but the clarity drops off in the later tracks. 

As to the contents of True Scale, Hideous Replica blast through 6 tracks of blown-out harsh noise, that is wallish at times, low-end crush at times, mixed with outdoor field recordings, and indoor audience banter. Some of the standout pieces include, “The Wisco 2015”, which is a pretty solid wall track of crispy static and low-end juddering as channelled through an echo chamber, and “Bremen Cafe 2018” which has a steady electric pulsing sound and crunchy harsh noise. Some of the later tracks sound like ramped indoor and outdoor ambience, found sounds and audience banter. 

Overall, a hit-or-miss album for me, but I appreciate their minimalist approach and, judging from the audience engagement peppered through the tracks, I bet they put on a fun live show.