"I saw and heared; for such a numerous host Fled not in silence through the frighted deep."

My have I got stuff for you, being back from a three day hiatus or so. The whole first CD of The Hafler Trio's Normally, now isn't that something. I do not assume I have to explain who The Hafler Trio are, if I do I don't feel like it so go explore their site on Brainwashed.com or read Wikipedia or whatever. This thing is based on the voice of Blixa Bargeld, apparently just reading the same phrase three times, which apparently is "Hören Sie denn nicht diese entsetzliche Stimme, die um den ganze Horizont schreit und die man gewöhnlich die Stille heißt?", which, translated into English, would read something like "Do you not hear that horrifying voice screaming all around the horizon which is normally being called silence?" Well, read the description by The Hafler Trio itself:

""Normally" reunites The Hafler Trio and Soleilmoon for the first time since 1996, when "An Utterance of the Supreme Ventriloquist", a limited edition clear vinyl LP wrapped in hand-made Japanese paper was released. The first CD in this two disc set is based on the voice of Einsturzende Neubauten's Blixa Bargeld. A particular phrase was read three times, in Blixa's three trademark vocal styles: whispering, hysterical and ordinary. "Normally," the title of this CD, is a reference to part of what Blixa didn't say when he spoke his phrase, and also to the way the German word for "Normally" is used. Although there are seven titles associated with the album, the music flows as one continuous track. They refer to different sections in the piece, but some of the changes are subtle, and the listener is left to discover them on her own. Or not. The second disc, "Sphotavado", is also based on vocal recordings by the Einsturzende Neubauten frontman. Three "meaningful" vowels were taken and arranged according to certain rules of Sanskrit. By repetition of these sounds, vibratory rhythms are created in the body to awaken the psychic fields. Everything, from our thoughts and ideas all the way up to things like people, trees and mountains, is a result of these vibrations. Along with its energy, every object has its accompanying range of sounds. Vibration is therefore a result of sound, not its cause. The name "Sphotavado" is the name given to this concept of sound, and is referred to in many tantras. It forms the foundation of tantric mantras, which are a fundamental aspect of Vedic rituals. Like the music inside, the packaging for this release is at once subtle and complex, presenting a simple and clean exterior that opens and unfolds to reveal (or hide) its complex inner workings. Designed by The Hafler Trio mastermind Andrew McKenzie himself, the sleeve and accompanying artwork are an intrinsic part of the whole package. It is essential that the music be played back through speakers, rather than through headphones, where its effects would be negated. Likewise, conversion to MP3 will render the music ineffective, as the compression removes the most important information. Andrew McKenzie's favorite fruit is the pomegranate."

I am not sure exactly how different the uncompressed version sounds in this case, but the 256 kbps version sounds great to me. Here are the ~ 64 minutes of the first CD for you, enjoy.


Download The Hafler Trio - Hören Sie Denn Nicht Das Schreien Ringsum, Das Man Gewönlich Stille Heißt? (As When No One Is Speaking/Outside the Mazes With Unravelled Head/In No Wise Being Double/At the Other End Of the Great Chain Of Being/I, Thou, He, She, We, You/Nothing Continues To Happen) (256 kbps, 117 mb)
Buy The Hafler Trio - Normally from somewhere (RIAA-free!)