The Resting Bell label from Berlin reminds me of the single minded approach to music of other labels such as Static Caravan and Awkward Silence, single minded in that the music is what matters, originality in music, music not for the mainstream, but music that can be enjoyed by all, if you’re lucky enough to stumble upon it.
First Summer And The Running Dream contains five tracks, quite different to previous work, the songs here are more droning, utilizing slight distortion, where layered sounds harmonize softly and sublimely, creating a laid-back mood, but with a noise that increases through the tracks, giving his image of winter, watching raindrops on the window, and wind in your hair.
I like the way this release starts off sweet, promising to sooth from the start, but the distortion sets in subtly, slowly engulfing each wash of sound, before the final track “Lately I’ve Been Dreaming Of Drinking Sound From A Fountain” brings the noise in on itself, engulfing all. Before you know it, you realise the noise has had a soothing effect after all.
I think I need to investigate this label some more, www.restingbell.net.
Wayne Stronell
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