Klotzsch & Sudermann at Autoplate.org: Holzlaub

Autoplate is a subdivision of Dubtek-giant Thinner, the one Netlabel you know if you know no other. In contrast to the mother label, Autoplate features more experimental music. Off The Sky, Konrad Bayer, Kenneth Kirschner and Gultskra Artikler released important albums right here. Enjoyable Electroacoustic could be a colourful delineation for the label sound. After a few months of diminished activities, Autoplate hits the streets with Fern at the end of 2006 and opens 2007 with a collaboration LP of Cologne-based artists Emil Klotzsch and Raimund Sudermann.
Some might remember Klotzsch for his cinesope Ambient album Tiefe Berge or his outstanding Feinquisit-EP at US Netlabel ONE (including the smash hit Geteiltes Sein). Both records are very distinct, the one very minimal and deep, experimental and subtle, the other full of eccentric and catchy House-tunes that know no comparison. Holzlaub is closer to Tiefe Berge, but still quite distinct. The whole thing was born from expanded jams with guitarist Raimund Sudermann I never heard of before. Thus, Sudermann’s guitar-chords and -sounds play a key role if you want to describe Holzlaub.

First track Viburnum Farreri comes with huge delay. Sudermann’s loose chords trail away and leave the listener with an impression of vastness. Klotzsch adds some clicks & cuts, dubby bass waves and cautiously alters single guitar-events in real time. Solid work, something I was expecting from an Autoplate-album, both artists session with a good amount of musicality and rhythmic understanding. But track two is far better! Córylus Avellána is a 13 minutes-groove monster that fuses Ambient, Krautrock and Protohouse (which is, Funk). The aspects of improvisation step back for the benefits of expanded procession (granular delay, rewind guitar, something like a bass drum). Wow!

Cornus Mas at three has a more folkloristic vibe. Stoic Sudermann picks a simple motive between Jazzy and Yiddish while Emil Klotzsch improvises with different electronic elements or alienates the guitar-sounds. Thuja Plicata afterwards reminds me a lot of the folky moments at ‘Niun Niggung’ by German electronic band Mouse on Mars. There is the same mood of ‘good humoured resentment’ I really enjoy. I’d also like to drop Cpt. Beefheart for comparison- and this is the best I can give. The last track carries along this mood and transfers it into a well-composed, fractalised Folk-song. Haunting sounds in the back, beautiful guitars in the front, 1000 little noises as plaster in-between. Astonishing album!

Note: I think ‘Holzlaub’ is some kind of Marsen Jules trademark-title- hope he won’t mind after his departure from Autoplate! ;)

Get the record here: Holzlaub
Direct download: No zip-file provided