Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Nicolas Bernier - Frequencies (a / fragments) [Line - 2014]

Frequencies (a / fragments) presents the listener with a lengthy slice of minimal  sine wave based electro acoustic soundscaping, which is focused around a series of tuning forks.  The release comes in the form of CD on Los Angles based minimal sound work/audio installation themed label Line, which is of course is run by respected electro-acoustic minimalist Richard Chartier.

The CD takes in a single thirty three minute track that  is based around a  basic sound generation system. The system consists of a series of custom made devices which find computer-controlled solenoids activate a range of  different tuning forks.


When the track first starts up it rather brought to mind the more stripped back melancholic tinged feel of one of Morton Feldman’s more stark ‘n’ skeletal pattern based works, as the tracks opening few mintues are built around slowly tolling & wavering vibe like pitches . But as the track progresses it starts dwelling more & more on sustained pitch like frequencies, which at times feel like they may be stretching above the limits of the human hearing. Yet through-out the track still keeps subtle altering both it’s pitch shifting sustains, and new tonal editions….all of which creates a slow moving yet eventful & rewarding slice of  minimal electro acoustic sound-scaping

Though on  paper the whole  idea of a piece based around  computer controlled tuning forks may sound rather academic, dry & emotionless. The reality of is that Bernier creates quite a compelling, haunting and often emotional piece of work that really blurs the lines between electro & acoustic sound-making. 

Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

Roger Batty
Latest Reviews

Nicolas Bernier - Frequencies (a...
Frequencies (a / fragments) presents the listener with a lengthy slice of minimal  sine wave based electro acoustic soundscaping, which is foc...
060126   Whore's Breath - A Pot to Pis...
060126   Sebastian Tomb/Angel Brügger...
060126   Dirk Serries - 250804
050126   Kahil El'Zabar's Ethnic Herit...
050126   The Sun Ra Arkestra Under The...
050126   Shoot First, Die Later - Shoo...
020126   CoH & Wladimir Schall - COVERS
241225   Wrathchild America - Climbin'...
241225   Rushab Nandha - Tear
241225   Hitcher-Hiker - Hitcher-Hiker...
Latest Articles

Creepy Images Books - Killer Art
Of all the cult/exploitation genres, Giallo stands as one of the more visually & art-based- be it with the grand/ dramatic location, choreographed murder...
231225   Creepy Images Books - Killer Art
221225   Best Of 2025 - Music, Sound &...
041225   The Spectral Sounds of The Pr...
281025   Michael Hurst Interview - Unb...
071025   Xiphos - The Rise And Fall Of...
030925   Third Window Films - A Label ...
130825   HNW fest- Barcelona- 12th Apr...
250725   Raté interview - Walled-in F...
180625   Matthew Holmes - Of razor-sha...
280525   The Residents - Visits From T...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2025. Twenty four years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom