Rev 99 – Turn a Deaf Ear

Just about everyone I know, including myself, has a friend who is way into trance or techno or some sort of that one genre of music that you never understood or got into and somehow claims it into their enjoyment. Rev 99 is no exception to selective listening and most likely finds it complimentary so. You can’t say the title didn’t warn you. But I will tell you first off that if you like digitalized computerized rampant noise, my review will not agree with you. I am a sucker for country, jazz, and every genre you can name. For me Rev 99 just wasn’t my favorite cup of tea. However, as with most sounds, it does serve an equally important purpose. Even the cover art will tell you it’s going to be loud.

Akio Mukuno, 99 Hooker, Chris Forsynth, and Ernesto Diaz-Infante have paired together from New York city projects to create an LP of “environmental improv.” A collaboration of an electric guitarist, pianist/guitarist, a video worker/poet, and electro musician combine into what it seems they would like to be some sort of intense reality of music but more obviously misses its point entirely. By way of how music has evolved, anyhow. Claiming the insincerity of pop star Brittany Spears who wins a large response that is not to plug your ears or pull your hair out, but a response none the less. It is simple to take common sense and ideals and put an intellectual spin on its description in order to make yourself sound arrogant in a way that belittles. That is what I find troubling in this material. It sort of talks the talk.

So what are the song titles? English grammar would imply that a period separates. In order to be difficult, it is not so clearly listed in this case. Perhaps there are no song titles and just mindless drivel across the back jewel case lining in two different sizes of text and color. It seems the purpose is coming through the water as rebelling the norm. If you put a pot over your head and let all of your friends take turns beating spoons on it, does it sound wonderful? Of course not, but would you do so anyhow so that you could go into the underlying message and meaning that are possibilities for such a ridiculous performance? Probably not because, as formerly said, it is simple common imagination. More or less unnecessary. Although like the horse’s head pasted to the woman’s body on the cover, there is something to look at.

A fine mix of musicians listed, and yet not a single instrument is heard. I’m not sure if you went down to the subway and recorded the experience it would be any less entertaining. Actually, I’d put my money that it’s more entertaining. I don’t understand dumping any money into producing something like this. Or, for that matter, any suitable time it is intended for listening too. Sorry, but I see no significance. It’s just boring.