‘Begantocry’ by Lumberob | New Album, ‘Language Learner’
Exclusive video premiere of ‘Begantocry’, the second single off Lumberob’s forthcoming debut LP, ‘Language Learner’, due February 18, 2022 via Shimmy-Disc/Joyful Noise Recordings.
At times slippery like an energized Dada sound poet strapped to a bouncing electro-skank machine stuck in wannabe dub cumbia raga mode, all swathed in the psychedelic dark lord Kramer’s exquisite wall of wonder, ‘Language Learner’ is the eclectic electro-bounce art pop debut LP from scrappy, old sono-linguistic loop artist Lumberob, mixed by the dark psychedelic lord Kramer for the resurrected Shimmy-Disc record label.
“Once again, we tease with a sultry slow-jam shimmer. ‘Begantocry’ is the second release from the LP ‘Language Learner’. This is the obvious truth: we need to learn to care for those smaller and sweeter than us. In the end, we return, and the ants will laugh as they devour us… as they should. Listen closely.” Lumberob
As an energetic force in the downtown New York performance art noise scene for over fifteen years, Lumberob is releasing his debut solo LP – ‘Language Learner’ – on Shimmy-Disc. Having collaborated now for over 23 years, Kramer and Lumberob understand how to make rather majestic messes. This music is urgent madness, overflowingly decorative, lusciously spastic, with an unpredictably eclectic sonic vaudeville energy. Lumberob emerged from a year in Costa Rica with a bag full of pandemic recordings. As a rejuvenated yet still scrappy loop artist expanding his sound with synth bass and drum machines, yet still rooted in improvised vocal phrase looping and skanky guitar, Lumberob insists this album ‘Language Learner’ to be a bold exercise in genre discovery or genre blur, proudly assuming its position in high contrast to other recent gorgeously crafted Shimmy-Disc releases.
It is this contrast that’s reminiscent of the wildly divergent and inventive catalog curated by Kramer from decades past. This debut is an odd blend of ingredients, but the concept is relentlessly pure Lumberob. Participants in Costa Rica include David Mendez playing nylon string, Alicia Cigna singing, Ariel Soto playing partial kit and conga, and Juan Jose Lopez playing bongos. Additional sessions in Brooklyn include Tobin Scroggins playing guitar and Becca Stabile singing. Kramer added bits and pieces throughout during his mixing and mastering of the album. Call it Dada Ska – a skanky electro-bounce. This is dance music for working things out. This is workout music for dancing things, and the live show is truly the daffy psychedelic roughneck business.
Having collaborated now for over 23 years, Kramer and Lumberrob understand each other. They also understand how to create a majestic avalanche of sound. This music is urgent madness, at times overflowingly decorative, at times lusciously spastic, with an unpredictably eclectic sonic vaudeville energy. Call it Dada Ska. Call it Circus Soul. Call it Rob & Roll. Call it whatever you like.
In Kramer’s own words, “Few musicians and their music have inspired me over the course of decades like Lumberbob has, and few performance artists have inspired the kind of awe in me that just takes my breath away, over and over and over again. Onstage, there is no one to compare him to. You can’t take your eyes off of him, and you leave with your ears glued to him forever.”
This is dance music for working things out! This is workout music for dancing things out! Sign up soon! Teacher training! Get certified! NOW is the time for LANGUAGE LEARNER!
There’s proper sing song structure here with tunes like ‘Blessence’ and ‘Redbaron0’ and ‘Friedleggings’ and ‘Begantocry’ and ‘Snackthreat’ which are interspersed with the relentless onslaught of serious jammers like ‘Freshroom’ and ‘Panicsmooth’.
‘Language Learner’ is a bold exercise in genre discovery and genre blur, proudly assuming its position in high contrast to several other recent and gorgeously crafted Shimmy-Disc releases. It is this contrast that’s reminiscent of the wildly divergent and inventive catalog curated by KRAMER from decades past.
Photo by Joanne Leah
Lumberob Official Website / Instagram
Shimmy-Disc Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp
Joyful Noise Recordings Official Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bandcamp / YouTube
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