Daniel Menche - Deluge & Sunder

Ed. of 350 numbered and signed copies in a deluxe gatefold sleeve. A CD edition of what every D.M. fan considers his finest work to date. Remastered and expanded with a bonus album "Sunder", a follow up to "Deluge". What if this was really new material from The Dream Syndicate with La Monte Young, Tony Conrad, John Cale? Hmmm... 'Deluge & Sunder' is actually a surprising departure from previous explorations by Mr. Menche as the tones are generated by real live instruments (bass guitar, accordian, piano & melodica) as played by a real live Menche. The rumbly counterpoint that so well defines Menche's sensibilities is still there, but is played against, initially, a seering wall of D sharp that is built from what sounds like an extended bowing (ala Stephen Scott's monofiliment attacks on piano interiors, but more as if conducted by Dumitrescu). The latter piece is a beautiful and playful exercise with a bellowed instrument. A solid droning G has a conversation with quietly modulated tones above (angels?) and soft porcine bassy throbs below (fat angels?). Maybe akin to later Nigel Ayers or Soliloquey era Nurse, but the precedings are distinctively Menchian, and the last piece breaks down so sublimely that I found myself listening to just the end part over and over again. I'll do that sometimes when I've had too much coffee.

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