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From Year One

In 1996 Unsound was a trio consisting of Cap'n Mikee, Jim Speer, and Helene Zisook. We were overflowing with ideas for pieces that were thrilling to hear and unbelievably tedious to set up. Now you can relive those glorious days without waiting 20 minutes in between each track for us to re-patch.

Stream all tracks

SIDE A
Japanese Garden text inspired by Richard Feynman mp3 (7:21 min)
One Chord mp3 (8:16 min)
Eldrad, King of Nothing (Doctor Who Trilogy, part III) mp3 (11:49 min)
Ode to Words Rhyming with Airplane featuring poet Joseph Serra mp3 (2:32 min)
The Many Talents of Krohg (Doctor Who Trilogy, part II) mp3 (6:13 min)
Wanton and Flagellum vs. the Reverend Philadelphia Thrower mp3 (6:50 min)

SIDE B
Tower of Rassilon (Doctor Who Trilogy, part I) mp3 (6:23 min)
Nobody There written by Mikee & Robert Lowe as the band Fusebox
Thousands of Words text by Rumi and Coleman Barks mp3 (19:18 min)
Garden at the End of the World mp3 (5:56 min)

mp3 (6.73 MB)

This song is inspired by Richard Feynman's story "Would You Solve the Dirac Equation?" in his memoir, Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman.

Recorded at TAGFest 1996 in the amphitheatre at Mill Hill Park, Trenton, NJ.

Mike Ciul: vocals, strap-on MIDI controller
Jim Speer: Stick

mp3 (7.6 MB)

Recorded July 30, 1996 at the Khyber Pass in Philadephia.

Jim Speer: Chapman Stick
Helene Zisook: Electric violin
Mike Ciul: Feedback

mp3 (10.83 MB)

Part III of the Dr. Who Trilogy.

Recorded November 19, 1996 at La Tazza in Manayunk, Philadelphia.

Helene Zisook: Electric violin
Jim Speer: Stick, rumbly/screechy switch
Mike Ciul: Samples, MIDI strap-on feedback controller

mp3 (2.01 MB)

Beee was recorded at the same time as Ode to Words Rhyming with Airplane but was not released on the From Year One cassette.

Recorded at Visigoth Uberkultur Town Meeting 1996 at The Rusty Nail in Ardmore, PA
Words by Joseph Serra

Joseph Serra: vocals
Mike Ciul: samples
Jim Speer: Stick

mp3 (2.32 MB)

The fourth track on From Year One, this features one of the guest performers who joined us when we hosted Visigoth Uberkultur Town Meeting at the Rusty Nail in Ardmore.

Recorded 1996 at The Rusty Nail in Ardmore, PA
Words by Joseph Serra

Joseph Serra: vocals
Mike Ciul: samples
Jim Speer: Stick

mp3 (5.7 MB)

Part II of the Dr. Who Trilogy.

Recorded 1996 at The Khyber Pass, Philadelphia.

Helene Zisook: Electric violin
Mike Ciul: MIDI horn (controlling samples and feedback)

mp3 (6.3 MB)

The title of this piece is what inspired the tape's cover art.

Recorded May 7, 1996 at the Rusty Nail in Ardmore, PA.

Jim Speer: Chapman Stick, synth percussion, delays
Mike Ciul: Resonant feedback controlled by Casio MIDI Horn

mp3 (5.9 MB)

Part I of the Dr. Who Trilogy.

Recorded September 10, 1996 at the Khyber Pass in Philadelphia.

Jim Speer: crumhorn, vocals
Mike Ciul: MIDI horn (controlling samples and effects)

mp3 (17.64 MB)

A setting of a poem by 13th century Sufi Rumi, translated by John Moyne and Coleman Barks.

Recorded 1996 at the Khyber Pass in Philadelphia.

Mike Ciul: vocals, keys, samples, feedback
Jim Speer: Stick, feedback
Helene Zisook: electric violin

mp3 (5.4 MB)

Recorded April 30, 1996 at the Rusty Nail in Ardmore, PA.

Jim Speer: Chapman Stick, synthesized flowers
Mike Ciul: kalimba, apocalyptic rumblings, flower programming

Battlefield Sequence | Machine | From Year One | UPIC etc | Fusebox: Life in the Circus | Singles

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