Electrotherapy (review)

Diathermy machines, ultraviolet ray oscillators, sectorless wimhurst machines and 5-inch induction coils hold a special attraction for historians of science, collectors and physicists, I suppose. Apparently, they also attracted Scott Smallwood's attention sufficiently to inspire him to make a CD full of processed noises from these machines.

In 13 tracks, with names like "renulife," "energex," "sunkraft" and "electraply," Scott Smallwood explores the sonoric space constituted by the noises of these machines. Ranging from monotonous clattering to noise, white noise and more noise, this space is quite limited, so the overall impression of the CD is one of a walk through a vast landscape of very similar white and pink noises and inconspicuous machine sounds. On second listening, the noises acquire some identity—it is unfortunate that Smallwood does not give any information on the sources of the sounds in each track—and a kind of music glimmers beneath the surface. And I think it really takes a third hearing to finally appreciate the diversity and intrinsic beauty of this sonorous space.

Admittedly, this is not an easy-listening CD, with its dominant, monotonous white noises and obsessive, rhythmless "beats." We are forced to listen carefully to extremely small variations and unobtrusive modifications of sounds from a realm with which we are utterly unfamiliar. As such, I think the CD will be scavenged by DJs, collectors of samples, sound engineers and the like for whatever reasons they deem necessary. Such fate would not pay full respect to Smallwood's work, but I am afraid that it is inevitable. Meanwhile, let us listen again, for the fourth time, and appreciate the music.