Hailing from Seattle, Washington via quirky Instagram posts, Ryan Norwine has emerged yet again to create an ambitious sequel to Big Guitars, Big Guitars II! Manifesting from the realms of experimental and noise rock, this current EP proves its merit through its collage of sound.
Miraculously summoned from feedback, clicks, and Static, Aka Big Guitars opens up a world of electrical wind. Guitars drone and wash out like a My Bloody Valentine record, as drums and bass ground us with the grit of a punk band playing a house party in the basement! The ominous atmosphere sets an expectation for what is to come next, while still clouding its magic in secrets.
Beginning with a minute of guitar yells, unintelligible shout outs, and overall cacophony reminiscent of the second half of King Crimson’s Moonchild, Improvisation 5 switches to a Spanish Bullfighter battle cry. My ears feel like a matador ready to draw a red flag to fend off my sonic opponents. The guttural vocals make me feel heckled as the pace melts down into rambles before picking my flag up again and mounting the feral beast to victory! Out of the four tracks, this one has to be my personal favorite!
Private Property is For Fascist is a great anarchist anthem! This song feels like it’s trying to break through the ceiling but can’t quite get there, like its frustration is irrational and blowing off steam. The refrain “this is how it always goes” contributes even more to the feeling of being locked inside desperate for escape. I feel nostalgic for my teen years listening to Rage against the Machine chanting “f*** you, I won’t do what you told me”.
What Do You Do When You Hate the World But Love Being Alive provides more static guitar work than the previous tracks, but makes it’s intense predicament clear (one can tell just by reading the title of this track what its message is supposed to be). The complex struggle in this mortal life resonates yet again with spirits of a younger generation (and to be honest, with older generation adulting and working 9 to 5s full time).
Big Guitars II is quite a trip! It doesn’t overstay its welcome and is concise. However, despite respecting its creativity and sonic textures, it can be a little monotonous. The sound and direction are clear, however, I think Norwine can experiment even further with different moods other than anger and destruction to lift his music higher than the swamp he’s stuck in. While it might be an unfair criticism to judge a 4 track EP as too unified in sound, I believe there can be slight diversions to make the individual cogs in Norwine’s machines distinct. That way, the pieces have an identity as standalone music in addition to a triumphant whole. However, I can also see in DIY and art music spaces that there’s an audience for this kind of music that expands out of Ryan’s mind. I hope for more great epiphanies on the horizon!
7/10