Kitti Tapes, 198X
GAJOOB Archive No.5272
Dan Fioretti’s Death Chants of the Rich and Famous is an exploration into the realms of feedback-laden noise, drone, and longform hypnotics. Released in the enigmatic era of the 1980s, this cassette is a testament to the experimental spirit that characterized underground music scenes of the time. Fioretti, credited as the writer, performer, noise artist, sound sculptor, echo manipulator, and producer, delivers a compelling auditory experience that challenges and mesmerizes.
Side A: The Descent Begins
The cassette opens with “Terminal Loss Of Appetite At The Drive-In,” a track that immediately plunges listeners into a world where conventional musical structures dissolve into chaotic yet crafted noise. Fioretti’s use of feedback and electronic manipulation creates an unsettling atmosphere, evoking images of desolate drive-ins and an ominous loss of normalcy.
Following this, “Bad Luck For Fred And Ethel At The Filling Station” continues the disturbing narrative with layers of sonic distortion. The piece oscillates between aggressive bursts of sound and more or less aggressive bursts of sound echoing and reverberating, painting a bleak picture of misfortune and unrest. The track’s title might suggest a whimsical scenario, but the audio content is anything but lighthearted, offering instead a profound sense of unease.
Side B: The Sonic Odyssey
Flipping to Side B, “Untimely Victory For Cows Is Its Own Reward” presents an intriguing contrast. Here, Fioretti ventures deeper into drone territory, crafting a prolonged auditory landscape that feels both meditative and disconcerting. The slow-building layers of drones and echoes create a hypnotic effect, drawing the listener into a trance-like state. This track exemplifies Fioretti’s ability to balance tension and release, using minimalistic elements to maximum effect.
The final track, “Slam It, Elroy Jetson! Slam It!” is a frenetic conclusion to the journey. With its abrupt shifts and intense sonic assaults, it encapsulates the chaotic energy that permeates the entire cassette. The playful yet aggressive title hints at a clash of futuristic and primal forces, embodied in the track’s relentless drive and dynamic shifts.
Overall Impression
Death Chants of the Rich and Famous demands an open mind and a willingness to delve into the abstract. Fioretti’s work explores noise and experimental sound in lofi age of portable cassettes, leveraging feedback and electronics to craft an album that is both challenging and rewarding. The longform nature of each piece allows for deep immersion, making it a hypnotic experience that pushes the boundaries of auditory art.
For fans of experimental music, this cassette offers a unique glimpse into the innovative underground of the 1980s. Fioretti’s dedication to exploring the extremes of sound and texture is evident throughout, making Death Chants of the Rich and Famous an immersive listen for those interested in the avant-garde.
