Black Dice are a special kind of experimental noise band. Namely, something you can actually listen to. True to its genre name, most of the stuff is pure wankery — self-indulgent knob twiddling and object whacking. It’s a fine line, but Black Dice manages to offer up sounds that stimulate the imagination while still refraining from actual songwriting.
While the band offered up a fearsome noise in their 2002 full-length Beaches And Canyons, they had already started including electronic sounds into their palate. “Creatures,” with its electronic chirps and beeps, is almost cute, suggesting frolicking nocturnal critters. Just don’t put your hands through the bars. “Treetops” suggests the tropicalia of Brazil’s Os Mutantes, with Fred Frith on guitar, high on poppers. “Skeleton” recalls that 15 minute trip across the hall to the bathroom when you’ve got the spins, but, ur, lots more enjoyable. The rest is an indescribable chaos, with glimpses of Faust and Butthole Surfers, all laced with a particular brand of whimsy that, without lyrics, lends this band a real likeable persona. Use this to clear the party of jocks when it’s time to bring out the limited supply of shrooms.
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