There is a lot of noise about. Some of it comes through speakers. Much of it arrives pretending to be useful information.
On FILTER, Exeter art-rock artist GRICE explores what happens when sound, technology and human behaviour become tangled together. The 14-track conceptual album moves through the language of short, medium and VHF wave bands, treating radio frequencies as both musical material and a way of looking at contemporary life.
The record stretches between live improvisation and carefully distilled songwriting. ‘DUMAH’ brings drone-like loops, static and experimental guitar work by David Torn, while tracks including ‘Five Leaf Clover’, ‘Desert Bloom’ and ‘Love Me Out’ explore more focused transmissions.
Richard Barbieri contributes keyboards and electronic textures, with further appearances by trumpeter Luca Calabrese and Theo Travis on duduk. Steve Jansen features on the closing track, ‘Traveller’, which brings the album gently towards shore rather than crashing into it.
Beneath the technical language sits a very human concern. FILTER considers the systems used to shape audio, alongside the algorithms that select information and the social filters people apply to themselves. It also looks towards the natural world, where the atmosphere, algae and coral perform vital filtering work without demanding applause for it.
GRICE, also known as Grice Peters, has released seven albums through hungersleep records. His work draws together art rock, electronica and progressive music, often accompanied by detailed visual presentation.
The album was arranged and produced by GRICE, with Duncan Chave handling engineering, mixing and mastering alongside him. Recordings took place across the UK, London, New York and Milan.
FILTER is a large, curious record about trying to hear clearly while everything around us insists on shouting.
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