If one were to believe the press release, Wolfgang Voigt’s interest in using a CD with Kafka readings as the basis for Kafkatrax was strictly done due to the vocal qualities evident from said CD rather than the subject matter. But if Kafka’s themes often dwell on paranoid confusion within Byzantine structures, then Kafkatrax has a second meaning regardless of intent, though Voigt’s interests appear clearer in the vocals than the music. With readings in the original German sampled, chopped up, echoed, and swirled on every track, including two that are strictly a cappella, Kafkatrax often feels like something of a sampler of styles tied together by the vocal treatment more than the overall feel. The result is almost a tour of the previous ten to 15 years, whether it’s the schaffel twist on “Kafkatrax 1.2,” the throbbing conclusion of “Kafkatrax 3.4,” or what almost sounds like a Silver Apples tribute on “Kafkatrax 2.2,” with queasy psychedelia and rhythm at work. The feeling of a warehouse party one building over on “Kafkatrax 1.1″ sets a good initial mood for the rest of the album to follow, and if the end results are enjoyably cryptic instead of definitely stellar, the album’s overall sonic joys are worth a listen. – Ned Raggett
more »
