Review

Music at 1/2 Speed is exactly what it sounds like, depending on your definition of music. Matt Davignon originally recorded the ten untitled tracks here between 1994 and 1997. They've resurfaced in slow motion remix format, with the occasional backwards flip. Throughout, snippets of sped-up tape peep in rapid communication over odd percussion moans. Backmasked hiss becomes a formidable weapon, turning the beginning of "Track 04" into a steadily building space landing. There aren't really melodies here, per se; however, Davignon doesn't let his experimentation devour songcraft completely. Tracks "06" and "07" are particularly adept at crafting a rhythm. The former opts for a lurching zombie dub, while "07" sounds like a space alien in captivity, its reconfigured squelch writhing and snapping at the observation table bindings. If that's a dark comparison, don't be afraid. Music at 1/2 Speed does offer some warm-ish backwards organ parts here and there, and the last track is almost cynically whimsical in its chopped up vocal warble. It's a TV cartoon show flickering in a tornado. (Rafter Roberts of Singing Serpant Studios fame guests on two tracks, contributing a bit of Moog and guitar.)