Vox Tinnitus [Limited]

The Wire (7/00, p.64) - "...Warming over inert or resistant matter, agitating its molecular base to release low waves of energy...Ivan Pavolov programs these pulses into music that honors the integrity of its ungiving source materials. Its grimy, grey tonalities belie the often grotesque comic tone of Pavlov's compositions...with discomfortingly reassuring vocal contributions from Coil's Peter Christopherson and Little Annie Anxiety..."|

Under the aegis of Raster/Noton's Static series, with its distinctive static-shield sleeves, COH (Ivan Pavlov) again extends the experimental, near-pop techniques explored on his earlier ENTER TINNITUS. This time, as the title suggests, VOX TINNITUS features voices. The combined effect of Pavlov's crafty acoustic engineering and treated vocals recalls the electro-acoustic alchemy of Coil. And, appropriately enough, Coil's Peter Christopherson and John Balance, and Coil cohort Little Annie "Anxiety" Bandez all contribute vocals and lyrics. This limited three-inch CD-EP (also released in a double seven-inch format) opens with "Chickenspin," an assemblage of scratchy modulation loops and twittering frequencies that hints at verse/chorus structure. The COH/Coil collaboration "Silence Is Golden" is an atmospheric concoction of woven whispers and bristling electronics suffused in electro-acoustic haze. Though bookended with girlish giggles and perhaps a bit more energetic, "Their New Polka (Mit Ionna)," seems similar to the frequency wiggle-dance featured on the album. Bandez's recited checklist of "Forty Six Things I Did Today," however, develops ENTER TINNITUS's sketchy finale into a winning spoken word/electronic pop novelty.