Christian Fennesz belongs so naturally to the Mego label cosmos that one could completely overlook that his last album for the institution from Vienna dates back to 2001. After this classic »Endless Summer«, he initially released his records elsewhere. With »Bécs«, he has now returned to his old address, which in the meantime has been continued as Editions Mego. After the drone-heavy sound massif »Black Sea« from 2008, Fennesz again ties in more strongly with the abstract pop of his earlier records. The noise has been modified or layered in an increasingly complex way. On the central number »Liminality«, for example, Fennesz’s reworked clear guitar chords provide the structure, with digital noise raging underneath, gradually pushing its way to the fore. So far, everything as before. But if you didn’t know, you could almost overhear that drummer Tony Buck, pulse generator for the exiled Australian trio The Necks, contributes a hidden free-form interlude. His impulsive part has been systematically mixed into the background, and you can’t even make out which drums he’s playing. More guest musicians appear on the opening track »Static Kings«, where improv greats Martin Brandlmayer and Werner Dafeldecker contribute heavily alienated bass and drum playing to a barely tangible shimmering melange of effects. The balloon-sized Fennesz drones are also there, but they are reserved for shorter numbers like the title track or »The Liar«. A conciliatory acoustic guitar finale – with an obligatory crackling interlude – concludes this mature statement through which Fennesz carefully refines his familiar approach.
Becs
