Greatest Heads by Al Karpenter

 

Newest album by Al Karpenter beautifully released by Night School/Hegoa Disk is somewhat interesting, intriguing and pretty challenging (in a positive sense) album I have listened in a little while.

It's a combo of musicians who are both experienced and not easily swayed by anything that is too oblique or obvious. A set of songs which clearly have an imprint of experiments within different genres such as electronics, post-punk, freely improvised music in a broader sense, spoken word.

I took on this listening more in terms of treating each track as a separate narrative which was better for me to analyze the whole experience.

Great work on the nuances, juxtaposing different modals and modes. Lots of contrasting elements but with a great communication - everything works very well. In this case of a collaborative work, I feel it is important to be mindful how composing should be done - whether it's through certain themes and chords and riffs, or just simply through some sort of controlled improvisation. 

One way or another it works very well. 

Al Karpenter is somewhat on pair with situationist approach - you can definitely feel it through their lyrics and DIY approach. Please check the interview I have done with them, here .

AL KARPENTER:

Álvaro Matilla: Voice, Guitar, Keyboards & Electronics, Zither

Marta Sainz: Voice, Bass & Guitar

Enrique Zaccagnini: Voice, Percussions, Korg MS20 & Daxophone

Mattin: Voice, Double Bass, Computer, Guitar, Drums, Harmonium & Layout

Design

Special Guests:

Mikel Xedh (Electronics A2 & Keyboards A5)

Lisa Rosendahl (Vocals B4 & B5)

" " [sic] Tim Goldie (vocals B3)

Recorded and mixed from April to October 2024 at Abject Musik Studio,

Berlin

Artwork made with stills by a film from James Richards

Liner notes by Eoin Anderson

Mastered by Rashad Becker

Produced by Mattin

Dedicated to Mikel Xedh

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Thank You: Dali de Saint Paul, Miguel Prado, Triple Negative, Sunik Kim, Dominic Coles, CIA Debutante, Megan Woof, Supernormal Fest, Cafe Oto, Cave 12, Instants Chavires, Ear We Are Festival, Le Non_Jazz, VOMIR, Arkaoda, Odradek, Rock Beer The New, Wurlitzer Ballroom, The Space of PRSC, Sonic Protest Festival, Espora, Olivier Bringer, ever/never, Bruit Direct Disques, Munster, Crystal Mine, hicham Chadly, Shannon Dougherty, Los Van Van, prodbyd3nis, Masahiko Togashi, Jerome Noetinger, and James Tenney.

Night School Records/Hegoa Diskak Anti-Copyright

2025

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