Thanks to an online acquaintance via Reddit, I've come across a
recently launched libertarian band called "V.O.N." (Value of
Non-Aggression).

The first cd, an apt self-titled effort, shows obvious hints of Aphex
Twin with peculiar use of sounds. The production & composition of
the songs hark back to The Notwist; one song in & I'm already smitten.


The album shows a general pre-disposition to ambient & subtly dark
moods, & manages to (for the most part) do very well at cherry picking
dialogue for sample use in the song.

Some industrial sounds are used to shake up things when required,
though, so the reward for your patience will be enough
experimentation to keep he album an engaging experience.

The best of the samples being the Lew Rockwell sample in
"Unconventional Truths", & the more clumsy one being found in the
first song, "The Division of Labor".

"The Law of the Jungle" 's ending sample also tip-toes on being
long-winded, & I would advise in V.O.N.'s future works to trim the
fat a little.

One of the surprises of this album, aside from the songs themselves,
is that the free version of the album is encoded in 128kps CBR (via
MP3).

Yup, the same 128kps that used to be the standard when Napster was
pirating the RIAA proper.

Yet there is barley a noticeable point in any songs that you "hear"
the low quality audio that is typical of 128kps, & this is coming from
a (albeit, practical) audiophile.

This is, however smart, because I am already readying my PayPal
whenever CD's or special access to higher quality recordings become
available.

Back on point: the song lengths are typical of ambient forays, but are
not uniform & give the album a slightly varied order, so the listening
experience shouldn't be tedious.

The ending song, "Death of the State", is appropriately sparse & the
longest (as well as the last) track on the album, w/ occasional
strings popping up the sampled wind noise, keeping your attention in
the atmosphere.

All in all, I think V.O.N. is off to a great start, and despite being
a person who is typically not into Ambient, I had more than enough
patience to listen to this & be pleased with the results.

This album feels like an interesting foreshadow & I think will prove
to be a sleeper hit within the libertarian community.

I think some refinement may be in order for non-libertarian audiences
to listen in, but that's assuming none of these tracks are eventually
used in a video meme of some sort, because you've got plenty of
minimalistic & interpretive atmosphere here to work with.

Do I smell remixes coming our way?

I'm definitely looking forward to further material from V.O.N., &
their libertarian ruminations on the quirky side of Ambient.

('+' = positives, '-' = negatives)

+ Production value, free download, professional effort.
+ You can barley tell the songs are encoded in 128kps.
+ Song lengths are considerable, samples are meaty.
+ Sounds used are unique, & pay tribute without being derivative
+ Pretty good album length

- Only available in 128kps, no Ogg Vorbis or FLAC (for now?)
- One or two samples are heavy-handed
- Could've been longer

Favorites:
Janus, Death of The State, Ode To The Industrialist, & The Division of Labor.

Download Now:
Take That, Atavistic Luddites!, Unconventional Truths, & The Law of the Jungle

(The album itself is available here )

Labels: music, reviews