Mike Patton & Ictus Ensemble - Laborintus II (Album Review)
Tuesday, 03 July 2012
Written by Ben Bland
“Erm, what the HELL are you listening to?”
That is the question I was asked when someone heard this blaring out of my speakers the other day. It is a reasonable enough query. 'Laborintus II' is one of the most downright bizarre records you could ever hear. A take on the masterful avant-garde original by Luciano Berio, this album sees the erstwhile Faith No More frontman Patton collaborating with Belgium’s Ictus Ensemble with disarming results.
To describe this as music in the traditional sense would be a complete misrepresentation. Like much of Berio’s compositions this is chaos of the highest order. Jazz drumming, erratically whistling flutes, the odd bit of shouting, electronic drones...this is all perfectly normal in the bizarre world this piece inhabits. Patton fails to even grace our ears by singing; he only speaks (in a combination of English, Italian and Latin). It would be fair to say that at least 95% of people that call themselves Faith No More fans, and at least 75% of people who call themselves Mike Patton fans, will find this record completely baffling and unlistenable. To be fair to them, they are pretty much right. Listening to this record requires real strength of character - it is anything but an easy ride. Equal parts demented and disturbing; this is music for the completely insane and, as such, should be applauded.
'Laborintus II' is out now via Ipeac.
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That is the question I was asked when someone heard this blaring out of my speakers the other day. It is a reasonable enough query. 'Laborintus II' is one of the most downright bizarre records you could ever hear. A take on the masterful avant-garde original by Luciano Berio, this album sees the erstwhile Faith No More frontman Patton collaborating with Belgium’s Ictus Ensemble with disarming results.
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