Family Smut / Streetmeat Split Review

Here’s a split from two rather unknown projects. Family Smut comes out of Utah with more straight-up harsh noise, while Streetmeat is a lesser-used power electronics project from Robert Newsome of White Gimp Mask and Grusom Dod. Each artist gives a 10 minute track, and it’s surprising how similar both sides are in terms of continuity of sound.

Family Smut throws up a harsh track of looping electronics, almost like a wall in that it remains a fairly rigid listening experience throughout. The quick jitters of the feedback weave in and out, sometimes blowing out so much that the leave little pockets of sound. Family Smut shifts its tone just a little bit about the halfway point; the pitch heightens, the track grows more intense. It’s all somewhat standard from a harsh noise standpoint, but the way the track seems to billow in and out, stuttering, makes it worth a listen.

Streetmeat’s power electronics starts out with rhythmic rumbles and static; the pattern ends in a couple of blown-out bursts. The track continues to flow along, with spoken word vocals that are very difficult to make out because of echo and reverberation. Still, the laid-back vocals belie the strength of the electronics; they churn and coalesce, hitting crescendos of feedback before sinking back into a deep rumble again with the feedback slipping in here and there.

It’s a short but sweet tape from both parties. Lots of standard noise fare throughout the 20 minute run, and for those that like a blend of harsh noise and power electronics, the pairing goes down nicely.

Review
Buy