Tarab — I’m Lost

23five Incorporated presents I’m Lost, a full-length CD by TARAB. TARAB is the moniker of one Eamon Sprod, an Australian sound artist whose career spans nearly 15 years. As stated in the liner notes, all the sounds on this album were found, collected, (along with being begged and borrowed) and ultimately arranged by Sprod’s hands during the years 2007-2011. There isn’t much information beyond that, but from what I can glean from the recordings, Sprod deftly captures the environment around him and presents it as five sound collages.

The 5 untitled tracks range from 5 to 12 minutes.Track one weaves the sounds of machinery, running water, metal scrapping, a cash register making change, bird sounds, dense ambience, and many quiet moments. It’s all masterfully collected and arranged, a treasure trove of seemingly mundane sounds elevated to artistry to the discerning ear. It runs the gamut from harsh sounds of thrashing water to quiet moments of near silence. It’s a real feast for your ears from beginning to end.

Track 2 starts with a crackle/popping sound, akin to dragging something across asphalt that fades into empty room ambience. It sounds like a mic left on in an empty industrial warehouse. The sounds of negative space meld into a heavy exhaust hiss, reaching a near buzzsaw sound at it’s zenith. Track 3, probably my favorite on the disc, alternates between cuts of aquatic sounds, static buzzing, and mechanical operations tempered by focused drone. Track 4 is the only piece I didn’t care for, which relies of some piercing high end resonance. It was just a bit much for my sonic palette. The final and longest piece feels rather subdued when compared to the rest of the disc, which was quite welcome by the disc’s end. The piece features the of sounds of city life mixed with electroacoustic elements and some static hiss for good measure.

Quite a solid offering from this long running artist. For those who like to immerse themselves in the sounds of everyday life...enjoy!