There are idiosyncratic music releases, and then there are music releases that seem to want to redefine the concept of idiosyncrasy. Patrick Grant's FIELD AMAZE and other sTRANGE music is definitely of the latter camp. The album, which is stylized just how I wrote it, title wise, has been given a 20th anniversary re-release and, in the words of a press release, a radical remix. Grant's work, which I am really trying to avoid having to list by its title more than absolutely necessary, has been re-imagined, and there have been some bonus tracks added, but it hasn't gotten any either to comprehend.
The description of the album IN THE PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL included a one word sentence: "Really."
The description of the album IN THE PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL included a one word sentence: "Really." Even they understand the incredulity this release can muster from people who try and give it a shot. The "narrative structures" are taken from sources such as "chaos theory" and "B-horror movies." It came out of Philip Glass' studio. Trying to describe what sTRANGE music is all about is hard. When I hear the name Philip Glass, my inclination is to run the other way. That's not anywhere near the kind of music I'm into. However, when I hear B-horror movies, I do get intrigued.
Look, there are aspects of this I can dig. Plus, like me, Grant is a Detroit boy. I want to like what he's doing. However, this is just much too much for me. You know how in the movie Juno the titular character says that Sonic Youth is "just noise?" I don't agree with that, and also I think that movie sucks, but, at its worse, this album is just noise. It's atonal and unmelodic. I like music that sounds good. Grant seems to want to challenge people. I don't want a challenge from music. It's tedious.
Either FIELD AMAZE and other sTRANGE music is going to be very much for you, or you aren't going to like it at all. I have a hard time believing there is going to be many people in the middle ground.
