stilluppsteypa: reduce by reducing stilluppsteypa: reduce by reducing (FIRE.inc./SOME - 1998) reduce by reducing is sure to elicit the old "What are you listening to!?!?" response from straight-eared friends, family and/or coworkers. These subtly noisy experimentations by Icelandic trio stilluppsteypa aren't harsh by any means, but certainly unusual enough, and definitely eclectic (and electric) in their almost-musicality. And, yes, that is an armpit on the cover... A gentle purring becomes more mechanical in please explain!; during its more-than-ten-minute run, it establishes a speedy rhythm, slightly oscillating in tone, fading to almost-nothingness near the end. I'm unsure if the apparent "beats" are added or a natural artifact of the pattern. the unhappy inventor (3:35) lives in a quiet, mechanical zone which shimmers softly, becoming almost musical before its abrupt close. In reduce by reducing (11:56), a minimal, tone-and-drone backdrop is periodically upset by pounding electric bursts. Gradually, more electronic flutters and hums infiltrate the piece, which swelters in a newfound density, before breaking up. Ryoji Ikeda contributes a remix to moeder in de wolken which rings in a continually chiming tone underlaid by various tiny pops and rhythms. Six minutes of that abruptly gives way to a deeper, quieter drone which picks up a growing high-pitched frequency that rapidly disintigrates. Opening on near-silence, the atmosphere surrounding dust farm radiates with dark loops and pulsing energies. Through its own form of evolution, assorted changes take place in the sound emanating from the general murk, including pops, drones, and what appears to be highly processed organ chords. A less intrusive piece, and definitely my personal favorite. I discovered a strangely soothing (for the most part) experience with reduce by reducing (distributed by Staalplaat). An 8.2 recommendation for minimal/electronics fans wanting something unusual but not too-abrasive. A scant bit more stilluppsteypa information can be found on this page. This review posted June 25, 1999 AmbiEntrance © 1999-97 by David J Opdyke (except CD cover art, rights retained by original owners).