Margaret Noble • Frakture
Self-published
33-RPM LP
I recently received a copy of San Diego based musician (or as she prefers, sound artist), Margaret Noble’s, latest album, Frakture. Inspired by 1984, George Orwell’s classic novel about a society controlled through surveillance, censorship, infringement of civil liberties, and violence in the name of security. (One might argue that with political correctness being taken to ridiculous extremes, TSA screening abuses in an effort to put on a show about airport security, and so on that Orwell wasn’t too far off the mark...)
Containing eight tracks, the album, which is thoughtful and somewhat industrial in nature, uses analogue synthesizers, acoustic drums, and numerous samples (including excerpts from 1984) to paint its sonic canvas. I’ve nothing negative to say about the sound quality, nor the pressing which is nice and flat. I’m not sure whether the album was pressed on 180 g vinyl (my guess is nearer 160 g), but the important thing is that the surfaces are quiet.
The packaging is a nice heavy cardboard sleeve (although it is a little tight; another millimetre or two on each side would help in the removal and replacement of the record), and for extra value purchasers of the vinyl record get instant access to a free digital download (in multiple formats) of the album.
This is a good album from an independent artist (and I’m all for supporting independent artists), so I strongly encourage you to buy a copy of Frakture—but hurry because only 300 copies will be pressed on vinyl! Incidentally, all proceeds from the sale of this record will be donated to Amnesty International, so there’s another good reason to buy it.