Howard Stelzer - Five Thousand Pretenders Who Passed the Test By Luck Alone

 

Howard Stelzer is in his own right a master of tape based music. Tens of diverse releases on independent labels all over the globe, over 20+ experience in composing, no bad releases, always quality stuff, always interesting and getting the best out of the medium he uses.

This album, released by Rural Isolation Project in Austin, Texas is no different.

The whole cd is one single track, over 50 minutes and in some way it acts a little bit like a symphony and a whole radio show set at the same time.

Wrapped in a mossy design it makes me think of how much processing is set across decay since cassettes as a medium are prone to that developing process. Sonically and when it comes to the actual quality of the sound, it adds up a special value that cannot be underestimated if you are a listener who expects more than just high resolution sound from the recording. It is a process of listening that you can actively and aesthetically engage and be part of. So much as being part and larger than life ecosystem.

Howard gives us the keys and the codes for that process. He enhances that through the porous and unobvious structure of his composition. It is long yes, but it never drags, it has its own feel to it and a narrative that is far from mundane. Through the post-processing and down-to-earth production the whole album sounds logical in terms of length and proportions of tension, sways, twists and turns. Somehow the time ceases to exist, it just opens a different door to you as a listener.

It is one of those albums that stay with you for a while longer until you want to re-listen it again.

                                                                           Bandcamp