Warp
Factor 9 - track by track.
Five
Days -The
first song of the recording session. RK and BG manage to
define the tone of the whole record with this track, blending
smooth loops and pads and the dreamy trumpet of BG. Dropping
in late, JK suggests melody and the Warp Factor map is laid
out: A danceable, apocalyptic concept album ! We're all
going to die so why not at least enjoy the ride and see
where it takes us… This track is like the theme song to
the album and introduces the optimistic- melancholy and
simple mantra like lyrics which pervade most of the other
tracks. RK and JK share vocal duties but it is RK's breath,
like an aroused Darth Vader, that gets the CD rolling.
That
Sunset Was Intense - As the Photon Belt approaches those
"in the know" will be able to watch out for a veritable
smorgasbord of signs
warning of the impending calamity. Animals will start acting
strangely, weather will be unpredictable and, a dead give
away, the sunsets will become more intense. Day 2 in the
studio produces this popping and whirling track. Again,
RK and JK share the vocals. JK plays clarinet.
Not
Gonna Board that Plane - When the Earth's electricity
grid fails due to the corruption of the magnetic -field
as the Photon Belt hits, being 20,000ft in the air on a
plane is most undesirable. Unfortunately, the day that the
Photon Belt was supposed to arrive Fuddles, the dredded
percussionist and vibe master for the record, had to fly
back to Melbourne.
After
some weeks in the studio starving and concentrating on their
own Global paranoia, the Photon Belt was beginning to take
it's toll on the musician's mental health. Admittedly, intoxicants
may well have added to this. A few calming drinks weren't
enough to get the Fudman on board his flight .
Convinced
that the plane was destined for disaster Fuddy was eventually
forced on board by the pilot. His chair, 34a, was next to
the emergency exit, a coincidence that prompted the earnest
warning to his fellow passengers, "We're all going to die!"
Needless to say the rest of the flight was fraught with
much babbling and free calming drinks until the plane landed
safely in Melbourne.
Originally
this track was to be sung by local chanteuse Edwina Blush
but she was so confused by the raucous recording methods
used that it was left to JK to add his nervy vocal.
Listen
for RK's haunting, screaming at the end of this track.
It's
Happening Now - A song writing strategy was adopted
for most of this record. Layers of melody and rhythm (tracks)
were added in sequence as if in a game (the Formula). One
person adds onto the next and so on. The final "go" is had
by declaring the track finished. This track is the highlight
of this process. All layers were added spontaneously and
in one take without rehearsal.
As
RK and JK argued about who would sing lead the Fudster took
stock of the situation and added a fantastic vocal, sensual
and evocative. It takes the listener into the Photon Belt
experience with a certain amount of resigned excitement.
Hear
the fabric of reality being torn asunder at the end of this
track.
The
Sky Has Fallen - Tribal. Layers of percussion were added
to the loops and keyboards as the record hots up. BG slips
in his trademark organ stabs and Fud plays some amazing
timbale. This song has RK singing a darker melody as catastrophe
envelops the world. The sound of confusion, as 4 billion
headless chickens run around, not knowing what is going
on. The sky cracks open. It still sounds like a party. RK
takes lead. Listen for the chanting (recorded naked.)
Under
the Blankets - One of the most appealing aspect of the
whole Photon Belt scenario was the recommended way to survive
the ordeal: stock up on food and get all of your friends
over to spend the duration under every doona that you own.
Things may well heat up after a few days in doors. This
is about as saucy a disco track as you'll find anywhere,
complete with strings and harmonies. RK and JK share lead.
Hundreds
and Thousands - The
Earth's atmosphere is alive as the Photon Belt takes hold.
The sky is filled with meteors blazing across it. Boris
turns in one of the most sparkling tracks on the disk, with
a jazzy syncopated rhythm and beautiful trumpet line. One
of the few songs ever to feature a BG vocal. There is a
sweetness in his voice which almost aches. JK adds falsetto.
Timing
was Wrong - An interlude of sorts. The song is built
around layers of opposing live percussion. 3/4 polyrhythms
on top of 4/4. An awkward loping number as one man ponders
his mortality. JK takes the lead.
Hurricane
Lamp - Perhaps
the closest thing to a "real" song on the disc, this is
a beautiful and haunting love song (of sorts). As the Earth
plummets into five days of darkness only the prepared will
survive and what were once insignificant possessions begin
to take on more strangely personal attributes. JK takes
the lead and reads from the fax the list of items needed
to survive the Photon Belt.
Null
Zone - RK captures the frailty of life in the Null Zone
with his exquisitely resigned vocal. Pizzicato strings delicately
play over a driving and determined beat. Smooth. Cool even.
Listen for more of BG's trademark organ stabs.
The
Atmospherian - Actually recorded in one mammoth session
this is as far out as WF9 gets. Moving through three separate
phases from vocal to melodic ambience this takes the CD
towards its ultimate conclusion. Using the Formula to it's
utmost this strange and bubbling melange of melody soothes
as it disturbs. Coming out the other side of the Photon
Belt the remaining humans find themselves transformed into….Atmospherians!
RK does some great "girly" backing vocals as JK takes the
lead. BG adds his philosophical two cents worth. Things
get weirder as JK plugs away on the melodeon at the end
and RK scats do-be-do's through a pipe. Fudman draws down
the lost spirit of Big Chief Chasing Hyena and all and sundry
realise they have been spending way too much time in doors
making music…
The
Sixth Day - A symphonic conclusion comes from BG in
this instrumental. Happily, the Atmospherians go about their
life, presumably just drifting around and occasionally reminding
each other, " It's gonna be all right" (taken from 5 Days).
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