Invisible Design – A Reflection on the music of Bill Laswell

Zarko · 04-19-2010, 06:14 AM

Death Cube K – Dreamatorium (1994)

Laswell’s role: Sound Design, Bass

So for a moment we are moving away from pure Laswell projects to a well known alias of one Buckethead. For anyone interested, Laswell and Buckethead met around 1992 after Bucketheadland was released, and became a second lead guitarist of sorts for Laswell behind Nicky Skopelitis. The two would later be key members of Praxis. Either way, the important part of this discussion is Dreamatorium, which is an interesting experimental dark ambient piece.

The only two players here are Laswell and Buckethead, and based on the genre the two do what you would expect; a slow maniacal build up with Buckethead never quite releasing his inner insanity, instead letting the Laswell production abuse his quiet riffs. Land of the Lost is about as perfect an introduction for a dark ambient album (A genre I don’t normally have much interest in), the lovely and almost foreign guitar picking a treat to behold. It doesn’t quite match up to Maggot Dream though in my opinion, another absolute beauty.

Only a short one today, but this is another one not meant to be missed. It is dark ambient, and although not that heavy in the scope of the genre it can be a tough album to get through if you are actively listening to it and it isn’t your sort of thing – It is great for background music though if it doesn’t tickle your fancy directly.

Always good for a chill – 6.5/10

4ZZZ · 04-19-2010, 07:27 AM

Quality as usual Zarks. I am going to have to get into Laswell work sooner than later. Your writing makes it all seem very tasty.

Zarko · 04-23-2010, 01:07 AM

Invisible Design – Bill Laswell (1999)

Laswell’s role: Creator, Bass

This album is my very definition of Bill Laswell’s music. The threads namesake has a lot to live up to if I am to give it such a high honour, but it certainly deserves it. This is solo Laswell, with high production values and great dubbing on an ambient platter, though not one that is ever inactive or boring. This was Laswell’s first release under John Zorn’s Tzadik Record label, and perhaps his free reign under the heavily experimental label is what brought the beast out of him.

The prominence of the songs have more to do with the amalgamation of atmosphere and design aesthetics than any specific moment of pure technical talent, Laswell able to create a graceful bliss that maintains attention rather than becoming monotonous and boring like much ambient music. The two main production elements are lightened synth and elongated smooth bass notes that carry the listener, almost spiritual in nature. That being said, it isn’t a clear cut one and done style album, there are moments of variation for those who aren’t interested in perfection. Black Aether contrasts the atmospheric soundscape for the occasional abrasive grinding sounds, that really add a ‘dark’ element whilst not swallowing the album whole. Oceans of Borrowed Money is much more upbeat than a majority of the album, with Laswell’s love of funk and its influence obvious throughout the song.

Without a doubt though, for me the stand out track is Aisha. Starting slow, the song develops a single, repetitive riff with some exquisite ambient dub moments. The cymbals add a great amount of depth for something so simple; the resultant effect is simply sublime. Thankfully the songs don’t go on too long either, saying their piece and leaving without boring the listener. There isn’t really much more to say really; this is what Laswell is all about.

A personal favourite – 9/10

tone float · 08-23-2010, 03:43 AM

i agree an awsome thread i first meet Bill Laswell on the alien ambeint gallaxy project, still easily one of my favorite albums absalutly boombastic if that makes sense, youl know what i mean if you'v herd it if you havn't herd it i'd put it on my to do before i die list

Zarko · 08-24-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tone float

i agree an awsome thread i first meet Bill Laswell on the alien ambeint gallaxy project, still easily one of my favorite albums absalutly boombastic if that makes sense, youl know what i mean if you'v herd it if you havn't herd it i'd put it on my to do before i die list

Well I'm glad at least one other person has heard the name

tone float · 08-25-2010, 08:00 AM

if i see or hear the name bill laswell, it doesn't matter to me who he's playing with i will at least listin to and most of the time i will buy it just on seeing his name in an album, the bass flow he put into the alien ambiant gallaxy was very impacting on me, i'm by no means a music interlect but i know what i like, if i see the name, laswell, namlook, schulze, i'm gonna buy it

04-19-2010, 07:27 AM	#12 (permalink)
4ZZZ Forever young Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Brisbane Posts: 608	Quality as usual Zarks. I am going to have to get into Laswell work sooner than later. Your writing makes it all seem very tasty. __________________ Terra Music Est Non A Vitium.

04-19-2010, 06:14 AM	#11 (permalink)
Zarko Barely Disheveled Zombie Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 1,196	Death Cube K – Dreamatorium (1994) Laswell’s role: Sound Design, Bass So for a moment we are moving away from pure Laswell projects to a well known alias of one Buckethead. For anyone interested, Laswell and Buckethead met around 1992 after Bucketheadland was released, and became a second lead guitarist of sorts for Laswell behind Nicky Skopelitis. The two would later be key members of Praxis. Either way, the important part of this discussion is Dreamatorium, which is an interesting experimental dark ambient piece. The only two players here are Laswell and Buckethead, and based on the genre the two do what you would expect; a slow maniacal build up with Buckethead never quite releasing his inner insanity, instead letting the Laswell production abuse his quiet riffs. Land of the Lost is about as perfect an introduction for a dark ambient album (A genre I don’t normally have much interest in), the lovely and almost foreign guitar picking a treat to behold. It doesn’t quite match up to Maggot Dream though in my opinion, another absolute beauty. Only a short one today, but this is another one not meant to be missed. It is dark ambient, and although not that heavy in the scope of the genre it can be a tough album to get through if you are actively listening to it and it isn’t your sort of thing – It is great for background music though if it doesn’t tickle your fancy directly. Always good for a chill – 6.5/10

04-23-2010, 01:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
Zarko Barely Disheveled Zombie Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 1,196	Invisible Design – Bill Laswell (1999) Laswell’s role: Creator, Bass This album is my very definition of Bill Laswell’s music. The threads namesake has a lot to live up to if I am to give it such a high honour, but it certainly deserves it. This is solo Laswell, with high production values and great dubbing on an ambient platter, though not one that is ever inactive or boring. This was Laswell’s first release under John Zorn’s Tzadik Record label, and perhaps his free reign under the heavily experimental label is what brought the beast out of him. The prominence of the songs have more to do with the amalgamation of atmosphere and design aesthetics than any specific moment of pure technical talent, Laswell able to create a graceful bliss that maintains attention rather than becoming monotonous and boring like much ambient music. The two main production elements are lightened synth and elongated smooth bass notes that carry the listener, almost spiritual in nature. That being said, it isn’t a clear cut one and done style album, there are moments of variation for those who aren’t interested in perfection. Black Aether contrasts the atmospheric soundscape for the occasional abrasive grinding sounds, that really add a ‘dark’ element whilst not swallowing the album whole. Oceans of Borrowed Money is much more upbeat than a majority of the album, with Laswell’s love of funk and its influence obvious throughout the song. Without a doubt though, for me the stand out track is Aisha. Starting slow, the song develops a single, repetitive riff with some exquisite ambient dub moments. The cymbals add a great amount of depth for something so simple; the resultant effect is simply sublime. Thankfully the songs don’t go on too long either, saying their piece and leaving without boring the listener. There isn’t really much more to say really; this is what Laswell is all about. A personal favourite – 9/10

08-23-2010, 03:43 AM	#14 (permalink)
tone float Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 58	i agree an awsome thread i first meet Bill Laswell on the alien ambeint gallaxy project, still easily one of my favorite albums absalutly boombastic if that makes sense, youl know what i mean if you'v herd it if you havn't herd it i'd put it on my to do before i die list

08-25-2010, 08:00 AM	#16 (permalink)
tone float Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 58	if i see or hear the name bill laswell, it doesn't matter to me who he's playing with i will at least listin to and most of the time i will buy it just on seeing his name in an album, the bass flow he put into the alien ambiant gallaxy was very impacting on me, i'm by no means a music interlect but i know what i like, if i see the name, laswell, namlook, schulze, i'm gonna buy it