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May 18, 2010 Web Exclusive By Paul Bullock

Presidence, the eighth full-length release from New York improvisational stalwarts Excepter is a two disc, 2.2 hour extravaganza that swings wildly from masturbatory to transcendent.

The first disc is largely comprised of a 33-minute, six-song suite called “Teleportation.” It was recorded live in Nathan Corbin (synths, drum machines) and Clare Amory’s (vocals, percussion) home studio in October of 2008. It’s an uneven performance that suffers from painful lows and heavenly highs. For example, the second segment, “Teleportation: KAL,” is a grating, sometimes violently annoying mishmash of synth nonsense, delayed drum machines, and wailing that will provide listeners with a feeling akin to getting the spins after drinking too much alcohol. But, the very next song, “Teleportation: LIL” is some of the best material the act has released to date. It contains many of the same elements as “Teleportation: KAL” but the organization of those elements is entirely different and altogether more pleasing. It’s a searing, crystalline soundscape that makes me wonder what it must sound like when a drill bit is being cryogenically treated to increase it’s durability

The second disc is filled with older, “political” recordings, including the extremely impressive title track, a 33-minute solo synthesizer performance by John Fell Ryan from President’s Day 2003.

For fans, Presidence will feels like a collection of some of Excepter’s best unreleased work. If you are unfamiliar with Excepter and you are into synth-heavy experimental music, check this album out. There’s so much here you are bound to find something you like. (www.excepter.com)

Author rating: 6/10