Slicer

by Stephen CramerOn Slicer, Michigan's Wolf Eyes offer up more layers of loud, cut-and-paste artistry. The opening track offers up skipping vocal arrangements, before the vinyl hiss and variety of noises on track two take over. John Olson, Nathan Young, and Aaron Dilloway collaborate to create a slew of untitled soundscapes. The startling and irreverent tones on the third track give way to the extended noise on track four, before the 16-minute fifth track takes over with a rhythmic trance and reverberating electronic creations. The subtle overtones point to unusual restraint by the band, and the wildly-bizarre sonic experiments makes the disc a unique repeated listen. Olson and Dilloway perform trombones and horns throughout, adding unique flashes to the mostly programmed electronics and tape loops. The wind-like echo of the all-too-brief sixth track adds mystery to the madness before the screeching seventh track brings Slicer to a close. Deeply-rooted in the D.I.Y. independent spirit, Wolf Eyes yet again impress with the reinvention of their sound. It might be called atmospheric at times, if it weren't for the regular, violent interruptions to the sustained sonic contemplation. Not nearly as abrasive as most of their work, Slicer was originally released as a cassette on American Tapes Records. Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Hanson Records re-released the recordings on CD in 2002.