Berlin Backyards finds Swiss sound artists Gilles Aubry building pressing/swirling drones and sound texture sheens from subtle manipulated field recordings sourced from various Berlin backyards over the winter of 2006.
He utilises the sound of rubbish truck machinery, road sounds, distant city sound echoes, bird song and chatter, dripping and crunching on concrete, vehicle sound and all manner of droning, echoed and often enclosed sound matter all of which Aubry subtle cuts, sometimes loops and buildings into these intriguing and oddly soothing tracks. And thorough none of the tracks really break away from the similar droning or hovering type tone dwell; each track sees him add in slightly different tones and elements to the mix. All to make a disk that’s quietly rewarding (if your in the right mood) with Aubry cleverly building and melding textures and tones in a rewarding & offten lulling manner. Through on the downside some of the tracks do sound a little similar & a bit too one dimensional at times.
Certainly not one for your field recording/soundart virgins; but this will be of interest to those who enjoy more droning and city based field recording work – just don’t expect too much variation in sound tone & texture. Roger Batty
via Musique Machine