Liminoid/Lifeforms by Aidan Baker
LABEL: Alien8 Recordings
Canadian guitar painter Aidan Baker's prolific catalog, spanning solo projects and two dedicated groups, can arguably be seen from a distance as a great wall with minimal indication for points of entry. Much of his work is out of print. Some are live improvisations for free download, scattered throughout the web. And, as is the case with most discographies of such size, things can become a bit redundant. Baker is no exception, but if there was ever a quintessential Aidan Baker album that covered all the power, range, and technique he has accumulated through his own work, Nadja, ARC, as well as being a striking statement on its own, this year's Liminoid/Lifeforms would be it.
“Liminoid/Lifeforms sounds just as informed by classical and American folk traditions as it is by post-rock and ambient.”
The CD is split into two performances, ranging over five tracks. “Liminoid,” which is spread over the first four, is about as seductive and intriguing as it is difficult to categorize. Electric guitars (clean or ambient) interpolate between a small orchestra of cellists, violinists, and a live drum-set utilized perfectly and appropriately by Aidan's brother, Richard, resulting in an abstract but tuneful work that sounds something like Johnny Greenwood fused with the more relaxed jams of Isis and Sigur Ros.
Liminoid/Lifeforms sounds just as informed by classical and American folk traditions as it is by post-rock and ambient. Vocals are sporadic, chant-like, and provide a hauntingly ethereal quality to the mix. For any fans of The Black Math Horseman, Jarboe, or Butcher, the powerful final movement of “Liminoid” will have a particular resonance.
While each of the first four tracks have their own character, they build to the climax of the final “Liminoid” movement that proves powerful, relentless, and destructive (in a good way). The percussion and vocals on this piece stuck with me for days after the first listen, and it still manages to send the shivers down my spine. While slow to build, “Liminoid” has a fantastic payoff.
“It is possible that Liminoid/Lifeforms will stand as one of the major (and widely unheard of) abstract achievements of 2010.”
Our 29:21 finale, “Lifeforms,” is a more traditional Baker at work and anyone familiar with his solo work will recognize the signature guitar drone that initiates it. But the track sounds much more coherent, focused, and melodic than his more improvised material. On the first listen, this track appears to be a misstep, an anti-climax to the long build-up we encountered with “Liminoid.” Upon further scrutiny, it settles as an appropriate and needed epilogue and stands as one of Baker's better ambient compositions. The song was initially written for The Penderecki Quartet seven years ago, and the minimalist use of strings and prepared guitar/percussion sound like a more positive, silver-lined Penderecki symphony.
This CD is probably the one to check out if you're getting into Baker's solo material, or even his work with ARC, since it demonstrates so much of his talent and insight so well (not to discredit the small host of musicians who worked alongside Baker for this recording, and whose contributions truly make it what it is). It is possible that Liminoid/Lifeforms will stand as one of the major (and widely unheard of) abstract achievements of 2010.
REVIEWED BY NEIL LEVENS
NEIL'S FAVORITE TRACKS: “Liminoid (Part I)” • “Liminoid (Part IV)” • “Lifeforms”
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"Liminoid (Part III)" (right-click & save)
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