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

Phil Durrant & Bill Thompson - Intraspect [Burning Harpsichord - 2019]

Recorded at the Intraspect Concert Series, the aptly named Intraspect sees the drone-noise stylings of Phil Durrant and Bill Thompson on their first ever recorded improv session. With Durrant handling the modular electronics and Bill Thompson playing the Moog guitar, the duo manages to create quite an atmosphere. Build with slowly growing and moving layers, Intraspect is a wonderful document of their 2018 performance. This second release on Burning Harpsichord shows great direction for this fledgling label.

Unexpectedly grimy, the interplay between the modular sludge and Moog guitar twisting sound like bridge connecting spaceship decks right before it gives way. Durrant & Thompson's Intraspect session is very contemplative improv. Not using sound for sound's sake, but rather slowly building, the duo puts forth an electronic soundscape that is minimal, yet dense, quiet, yet speaking volumes. Like a machine on a spiritual journey, the bristling electronic introspection fits well with the name of the festival (and presumably the M.O.). Drifting drones make up the basis of this session, and their interaction causes lovely constructive and destructive patterns. Slowly rolling forth with thick oscillations, the modular electronics are used to their best effect here. Adding flavor to these ambulatory layers is the Moog guitar. Sparse but powerful, these tones add emotional depth and feeling that moves in different directions than the base drone.

One 31 minute improv take, Intraspect plays more like a well thought out piece. With Phil Durrant & Bill Thompson tuning into their inner machines, the song that springs forth is introspective, heartfelt, and droningly delightful. The second release on Burning Harpsichord, and the first recording of Durrant & Thompson, Intraspect is a half-hour well spent.

Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5

Paul Casey
Latest Reviews

Phil Durrant & Bill Thompson - In...
Recorded at the Intraspect Concert Series, the aptly named Intraspect sees the drone-noise stylings of Phil Durrant and Bill Thompson on their first ever rec...
010725   Atomic Rooster - Atomic Roos...
010725   Con Funk Shun - Organized
010725   Various Artists - Heatwave- T...
010725   The Good, The Bad, The Weird ...
270625   Murder Rock - Murder Rock( Bl...
270625   The Black Torment - The Blac...
250625   Girls Without Shame - Girls W...
250625   Xiphos - The Age Of Alexander
250625   Timothy Fairless - Keep Tal...
240625   CORR//PT│0N_UN1T - S7ATU5_...
Latest Articles

Matthew Holmes - Of razor-sharp t...
It’s fair to say the Sharksploitation genre is often tried, tested, and to be honest, tired. Fear Below is a 2025 Australian film that tries to do some...
180625   Matthew Holmes - Of razor-sha...
280525   The Residents - Visits From T...
090525   Ennaytch - Of walls, abused ...
150425   Dead, Dead Swans interview - ...
110325   Sebastian Tomb - Walls of unb...
040225   Alien Sex Fiend - Possessed B...
231224   Best Of 2024 - Music, Sound &...
191224   Splintered - Somewhere Betwee...
031224   Shane Ryan-Reid - Coerced and...
221024   Whore’s Breath - life’s h...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2025. Twenty four years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom