Schism Method

Instrumental. Snappy chiptune melodies get bombarded with algorithmically generated breakbeats and free noise, ending up with a record that ranges from danceable 8-bit freakouts to top-notch digital ambience. Kurt James Werner is (at time of writing) a grad student at CCRMA, and performed a set drawing on much of the same material as this album at KZSU's 2012 Day of Noise. His "music references elements of algorithmic and generative composition, breakbeat, chiptunes, musique concrète, circuit-bending, and (granular and otherwise) synthesis." Most tracks transition well for continuous play. FCC clean; everything well worth playing, but I'd start with 1, 10; or 7+8, 11 for more experimental side. –Andy

**1 - (4:13) quiet pastoral wash, scratchy percussion emerges; sudden shift into breakbeats at 1:00
2 - (1:38) simple synth intervals, mellow percussion
*3 - (4:31) glassy digital scratching and distant tones into perky chiptune melody
*4 - (2:53) gentle, glittery, crescendoing drone, sweeping white noise
5 - (5:43) fun, danceable chiptune, ecstatic percussion; dronier in final 1:30
6 - (3:42) taste-of-everything driving groove
*7 - (4:48) swelling outer-space ambience, continues into (8)
*8 - (1:25) jagged continuation of (7), rhythm emerges
9 - (3:04) dramatic, melodic chiptune anthem
**10 - (3:40) real sax and intense percussion in pounding, simple melody
*11 - (3:00) scenic free noise, swelling synth strains, peaceful resolution