Tyondai Braxton / Parts & Labor -wt Rise, Rise, Rise -wl Narnack -wf This release is a split between Tyondai Braxton and the three piece electronic machine known as Parts & Labor. The result is a bizarre, yet somewhat fascinating look into how truly weird “music” can be. -wm The Parts and Labor sounds on this split have two common threads: driving drums and distorted bass guitar. The rest of the instrumentation ranges from electronic synthesizer noises to bag-pipes, banjos (I think), guitars (both acoustic and electric) and an overall penchant for chaos. Some of the songs are flat out rockers, like the devastating “Voltage,” a song churned by an immensely overdriven bass guitar and bass heavy drumming. -wm The sections credited to Tyondai Braxton are kind of boring, and feature piano, slowed down guitars, spooky vocals and dark atmospheric effects. The twelve-minute long “Disintegrating Reels” showcases the same guitar chord throughout, while all manner of shouts, talking, tribal drumming, flute and other strangeness dance in and out of focus. I can’t get into his stuff, but I am sure the arty types in Williamsburg (both artists are from Brooklyn) call him a genius. -wm This is a pretty fun and unique listen, but it’s not my cup of tea, and is, for the most part, instantly forgettable. -wd Narnack Records: http://www.narnackrecords.com/ -wb Daniel Mitchell