Rebajas

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:00:00
Chicago explorers Bitchin Bajas began in 2010 as the solo project of Cooper Crain and almost immediately grew in all directions. In addition to expanding first to a duo and then to a trio, the group's frequent excursions into drifting synth experimentation, melodic noise, and smoky long-form drones resulted in a non-stop string of cassette and vinyl releases. Rebajas is a sprawling seven-CD set that collects much of the band's discography, including early album material from split releases. All told, Rebajas includes 2010's murky and raw Tones & Zones, 2011's Water Wrackets, 2012's Terry Riley-esque Vibraquatic, 2013 Krausened EP, and the Bitchitronics full-length, the self-titled 2014 LP, 2015's Transporteur EP, and 2017's epic Bajas Fresh double album, as well as material from various split releases with Faceplant, Moon Duo, and others. While collaborations with Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Natural Information Society, and Olivia Wyatt are omitted from the collection, the almost seven hours of material amply track the evolution of the group, moving from more formless synth experiments to the interplay between Crain and bandmate Dan Quinlivan as the duo worked toward more fully formed material on albums like Bitchitronics. By the time of Bajas Fresh's ambitious extended improvisations, the band's side-long transportations would swell to include free jazz drums and percussion, woodwinds, and found-sound samples. A set so dense is possibly intended only for the die-hard fans, but there's something to be said for having the entire discography of a group so prolific and shifting in one place. From the rough-edged atmospheres of their early releases to the refined beauty of their more considered albums, Rebajas offers hours of meditative reflection fading slowly into moments of pain, celebration, and peace, all in digital sound that does away with vinyl imperfections. The collection provides a clear look at the playful but concentrative nature of Bitchin Bajas as they traveled through the years. ~ Fred Thomas