By Stan Cierlitsky
I am happy to be reviewing Performing Belief, the new instrumental album from Big Thief's drummer James Krivchenia which is out now on Planet Mu Records. This is James' fourth solo album and features Sam Wilkes (Wilkes/ Gendel) and Joshua Abrams (Natural Information Society).
I was a little hesitant to do this review, because this type of music really isn't my wheelhouse. But I'm glad I took it on because the more I played this record, the more I enjoyed it. Even if you're not into intsrumental music, I think you will find this one very interesting as I did.
Performing Belief opens with "Undesigned". It's a number full of beats seemingly inspired by Eighties-era industrial and techno. The next track, "Judge the Seeds" is more of what I was expecting from the drummer of Big Thief. It's definitely more Spring-like, beautiful, and spiritual. The songs opens with just a cacophony of sounds, but once it settles into its groove it's just great.
The third track, and first single/teaser from the album is "Probably Wizards". This is one of my favorites here. It really reminds me of something off of Thom Yorke's incredible solo album from 2019 called Anima. The electronic samples work well over the pulsating beats.
My favorite number on the album has to be "Sympathetic Magic". The electronics on this one remind me a lot of some of the beautiful slow songs Aphex Twin has put out. The percussion is just perfect.
Second single/taster "Bracelets for Unicorns" is also really interesting. It opens very slow and really reminds me of something from the early Eighties. Maybe like something from Thomas Dolby's The Flat Earth album? Like "Judge the Seeds", this one builds really nicely.
I really like James' use of samples and sounds effects across the album. "The Wounded Place" might have the most. It starts with bird/forest sounds then brings in samples of women singing. The deep bass here is really perfect. It also samples something that sounds like a scream but I'm not really sure. Interesting song. And speaking of samples, I love the ending to this record on "Metaphoric Leakage". That one ends with the beautiful sounds of waves crashing on the shore. I can't wait to get to the beach.
Performing Belief by James Krivchenia is out now on Planet Mu Records.
[Photo: Mikey Buishas]