TEACHINGS IN SILENCE

It's hard to find words to describe the status of ULVER. A pack of inspired musicians, never compromising experimentalists, that are beyond any commercial sense regarding music. They keep surprising the listener with every new release. Teachings in silence is a compilation of two pretty weird (!) EPs that went out of print; that is probably the only reason that this cd has been released. Otherwise, there would be no meaning, as it contains the EPs Silence Teaches You How to Sing and Silencing the Singing back-to-back. The first 24 min track is in fact the first EP, and the rest three comprise the second.

The introduction was the easy part; the hard part is to describe the material. The first thing that can be easily observed in this compilation is the lack of structure. Don't expect compositions with a beginning and end. ULVER drag themselves to the edges of experimentalism with this release. A handful of noises counteract with short passages of guitars and keyboards, mainly dancing on electronic music. There are moments that you might feel fed up with meaningless sounds, but short intervals of brilliant composure then interfere and break the silence. Record scratches, bells, psalms, background electro beats and finally some vocals and inspiring piano sessions all mix together to create this insane soundtrack.

The whole atmosphere ranges in slow tempo and background music. This compilation (like other ULVER albums) would make an excellent soundtrack to a mystery movie. The title is quite 'spot-on' as the lessons learned from this record are taught in silent tunes... Despite obvious weaknesses, regarding 'actual' music duration and repetition, the more I listen to this album, the more it grows on me. I believe that this lies within the band's ability to make their sounds interesting even if, at first place, nothing seems impressive.

However, I would not recommend this for a first ULVER experience to people who are not familiar with the band, as it is far from the studio recordings in terms of structure. It is obviously useless for those who have acquired the two EPs, but essential for fans of the band and the electro/experimental scene.

Have you been taught your lesson in silence? Well... this might be a start...

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