HAFLER TRIO (THE)
FUCK
Original Issue: 1992 Touch (TONE:3)
Margot-meter: 4,5 moons / 5
Even if this work's purpose is to concentrate male energy, I totally agree with what Mr. McKenzie points out in the liner notes of the CD: "Females of whatever sexual orientation may easily come to terms with the male forces operating within them by immersion herein". One of The Hafler Trio's finest releases.
To counterbalance the male energy at play here, I post (at the bottom) a ritual picture of Annie Sprinkle...post-porn modernist queen and McKenzie's muse.
2 - Untitled
from All Music Guide
Fuck is the second part of a projected trilogy that begins with Masturbatorium, and for which the third part has not been released as of early 2001. While Masturbatorium used sounds generated by performance artist Annie Sprinkle in a sonic investigation of female sexuality, Fuck concentrates on male sexual energies, using sounds leading to the brink of male orgasm from Andrew McKenzie, in addition to various atmospheric frequencies and field recordings. As with the trilogy's first part, the liner notes go into some detail about the sonic origins and the overall purpose of the piece, its specific practical intents, and its relationship to investigations into sexual energy.
Unusually, McKenzie directs that the recording be played at maximum volume, and that the CD player be in strict accordance with left and right channel connections. With the correct playback configuration, the ominous low drone opening shakes the room, and when the various fast rhythmic layers are added in, the piece takes on an overwhelming aura seldom found in other Hafler Trio releases.
A looped bass vocal alternates between the two channels in the second track, exercising the separation McKenzie mentions. Given the sexual intent of the piece, one might suppose that it would start slowly and build, but in fact the opposite is the case. The beginning is the loudest, densest, and fastest, with an overall tranquility and lightening as the piece progresses. Its unity of purpose makes it one of the better Hafler Trio releases, although the cover art and subject matter make it for mature listeners only.
Caleb Deupree
