Venetian Snares - Winnipeg is a Frozen Shithole Part 2

Initially, I was puzzled to why the WIAFS album was split into 2 parts on vinyl. I could live with it, but it annoyed me nonetheless. When I espied part 2 for cheap on Discogs, I snapped it up. Little did I know until this arrived (go me for researching properly) that these two volumes are just two tracks a piece; one on each side. Man that sucks! I guess it was an easy way to release four singles off the record for DJ consumption, or something. But shit guys, call it something else, will ya!

The tracks here are "Winnipeg Die Die Die Fuckers Die" and "Winnipeg as Mandatory Scat Feed"; excellent tracks in their own right but not the half an album that I was expecting. The tracks on this record seem more gabba orientated than anything. Well, when I say gabba orientated I mean that it's the usual Venetian Snares mindfuck affair with the addition of some phat, distorted 909 kick drums. Bitch please, this is hard work!

Nevertheless, I am a sucker for aural punishment and I enjoy this release, short as it is. This seems to be out on the efforts of Bang A Rang (an imprint of Peace Off records), and I'm pleased to say has full artwork printed, unlike the Planet Mu pressings of most Venetian Snares stuff. If you've never heard Snares, here is probably a good place to start.

Boris - Japanese Heavy Rock Hits V2

It never fails to amaze me how a band so steeped in history of abstract experimentation and drone can have so many rock ‘n’ roll influences. I guess comparing this record to say, the bands experimental collaborations with the likes of Merzbow or Keiji Haino can only solidify the fact that they are currently one of the most diverse acts out there at the moment. It’s time for Boris to do some rock ‘n’ roll. Boom, in 2009 a series of 7” EPs on Southern Lord records suddenly materialises.

What I have here is volume 2 that I picked up off the Relapse store fairly cheap last Christmas. You need to consider who we are dealing with here; this is far from “straight up” rock of old, there is plenty of that influence here, but if Boris just rehashed that then it wouldn’t be Boris. What we have here is a bizarre mix of rock riffs, almost industrial feeling drums and wailing vocals over ambient and electronic passages, all mangled together into an awkward symphony.

Side b is far more poppy, leaning more towards genres such as electronica and synth pop. Screechy guitarwork mixes with cool electronic beats and laid back bass. Japanese lyrics breeze lightly over the top of the whole thing, completing the insane puzzle. It sounds intrusive, but it really isn’t. If you have never heard Boris, I guess this is a good a place to start as anywhere.