Music for Geiger Counters
Koyuki
May 2008
3" CDR [Edition 100]

neural [June 2008]

Texan producer Josh Russell manages micro-sonorities, ambient electro-acoustics and audio deconstructions through the tangles of an ultra-minimalist aesthetics, which wavers between quiet clicks and rarefied as well synthetic drones. It's the evolution of sound inspired by accidental daily events. Noises are often just filtered and subsequently assume the status of delicate miniatures, amplified micro-particles, which distill an intimate coherence. Specific laptop music paradigms are used for trills, electronic chimeras, and audio happenings. There are only two tracks in this Koyuki mini-cdr, using a technique between granular synthesis and sophisticated patterns. What emerges herefrom, are cyclical modules ordered by tone, or by more structured moments, which are dense and rich in infinitesimal juxtapositions and intricate textures.
Aurelio Cianciotta . BGN

WHITE_LINE [May 2008]

Josh Russell takes up the ultra-minimalist aesthetic as laid down by the genre’s master, Bernhard Gunter in his Monochrome/Polychrome series recently revisited by the USA’s L-NE label. Three short-form tracks, neatly labelled APHA, BETA, and GAMMA , after their putative radioactive source material , contain a sustained and rotary heterodyne ticking, clicking and pulsing, that traverses the particulate, and almost inaudible. Opening piece, ALPHA is almost a definitive interpretation of Gunther’s Monochrome White piece, as it hovers between fine, granular synthesis, exquisitely formed, and technically precise. Beta is a more defined piece, bringing the clicking into sharp relief, more monotone, and less layered, creating a distinct textural fabric, not unlike a telephone left unhooked, or the indiscriminate 55Hz hum of mains electricity.
Gamma is perhaps the sum of the conjoining of the previous two tracks, a more densely packed, layered tonal piece that uses shifts and swells of EQ to create interest, with almost sub-bass presences juxtaposing with the main theme.
This is an intense, intelligent, and beautifully rendered piece of audio art of the very finest order, from a small label that is rapidly establishing itself for its precision of presentation, and with a roster of artists that deserve wider attention.
Highly recommended.
BGN]

EARLABS.ORG [June 2008]

Josh Russell (founder of Bremsstrahlung Recordings ) joins the Koyuki Sound roster and delivers three minimally textured pieces of ultra-delicate radioactive noise with the self-descriptive titled Music for Geiger Counters.

Koyuki Sound's mission is to provide sounds/images that are "interesting for the mind and beautiful to eyes and ears." Their releases require "active participation from the listener/viewer, be it in the form of silent meditation or the attention needed to feel almost imperceptible frequencies and resonances." Josh Russell's Music for Geiger Counters is case in point that realizes this mission.

Consisting of three tracks titled Alpha, Beta, and Gamma named after their presumed (or inspired) source material, Music for Geiger Counters delves deep into ultra-minimal clicks, crackles, pulsations, and grainy resonations topped off with a delicate abrasiveness that do indeed require the listener's careful attention. By and large the tracks have a technical precision and beautiful subtleness that is quite apparent, and, surprisingly, none of them really flirt with inaudibility or silence (but headphone listening is recommended).

Although based on a minimal sound palette, the overall sonic aesthetic is sustained and almost paradoxically robust. Even though I‘m guessing purely synthetic in makeup, Alpha has macrobiotic feel that reminds me of the delicate, but noisy layers of random night sounds that one might hear during the twilight time of a warm, humid summer evening, and I have a visual image of the flashing lights of myriads of fireflies dotted against the night sky. In contrast to the variable casualness of Alpha, Beta is mechanical sounding piece with minimal flux. Lengthy segments of it remind me of the persistent (and almost annoying), rapid-fire chiming of an old alarm but for the fact that this one doesn't wind itself down. Gamma concludes this mini-album with a more layered, thicker, and richly textured ambiance. It appears to bring together many of the finer details of its predecessors. Tiny clicks, pops, crackles and sub-bass frequencies make themselves known against a fuzzy, sustained, and ever-changing static backdrop.

Music for Geiger Counters is a notable release for the up-and-coming Koyuki Sound label, and it's an excellent addition to Josh Russell's discography showing him in one of his finest creative moments. Must listening for anyone who appreciates of the aesthetics of ultra-minimalism.