The Rita — The Rack

“The Rack” offers up two just over twenty minute tracks of thick,detailed and textured static noise sculpturing. Any new work by this harsh noise and HNW innovator/originator is always worthy and creative, but “The Rack” stands as one of my favourite works by The Rita(aka canadian Sam McKinlay) thus far. And it’s also one of the finest examples of textured static you ever likely to have come across.

Each of the  two pieces here uses a different sound source- track one  “Knifing And Slitting” uses the sound of knives as it’s source, and track two “Covering The Legs, The Feet” uses nylon as it’s only sound source. Each track finds McKinlay building a very detailed, active yet dense wall of  shifting textural sound which moves through all manner of judders, drags, jitters, rips, tears and all types of textural noise detail. 

Both tracks  here are fairly constant and thick in there  texturing make-up, yet each has it’s own agenda and sonic feel. “Knifing And Slitting” is very tight, taut and tense from the outset with McKinlay unfolding a highly controlled, detailed and shifting avalanche of textured sound. Where as “Covering The Legs, The Feet”  starts out in a simple more repetive stream of tight detailed ripping judders, but as it progresses McKinlay adds in new textural layers and shifts, building up tension and the tracks sonic depth. Both pieces show a great level of control and understanding of noise texturing, and both pieces are also damn memorable and moorish too.

The releases black and white fold out artwork nicely compliments the album with pictures of women in tights, soldiers with bayonet  tipped guns,  and knifes and tights on there own. Simply put “The Rack” is one of this years harsh noise/ textured static/ HNW highlights- so if you enjoy any of those noise genres this is a must have item!. A new masterpiece from The Rita.