Zoviet France: Digilogue

The members of Britain's Zoviet France began their foray into recording without any training as musicians. But since they're uninterested in making "music," per se, this has not proven to be the setback you might imagine. Over the course of its 16-year history, Zoviet France has released more than 20 albums and appeared on countless compilations. In lieu of songs, the group records soundscapes built out of tape loops, synthesizers, and the occasional found sound, artfully combining those elements into what could be described as atmospheric industrial music. Digilogue is sort of a reissue of a 1996 vinyl-only release of the same name, the CD containing four of the LP's five tracks with four more added on. "Alchemagenta," the opening track, begins with the hissing sounds and popping noises associated with vinyl, slowly giving way to a thin electronic loop (which sounds vaguely like a galloping metal horse), intermittent echoing trumpet bursts, snatches of quiet drums, and other creepy electronics. This sets the tone for the album's remainder: quiet, eerie, and oddly relaxing. Much of Digilogue is recorded low, sometimes barely within the threshold of hearing, and is best heard with headphones if you're hoping to catch all the subtleties. If you like The Hafler Trio or Bruce Gilbert's solo material, Digilogue is a safe bet. If you aren't familiar with the genre, the album will work fine if you're looking some sort of white noise to relax to without stooping to purchase a new-age album. (Soleilmoon, P.O. Box 83296, Portland, OR 97283)