Money Will Ruin Everything is a comprehensive 2CD compilation collecting together the best in Norwegian improv, jazz, electronic and contemporary music celebrating 5 years of the Rune Grammofon label. Also included in the package is a lavish 96-page book designed by Kim Hiorthøy with essays by Wire editor Rob Young and design writer Adrian Shaughnessy along with an interview with Rune Grammofon’s own Rune Kristoffersen. Money Will Ruin Everything is a diverse mix of styles that sit together surprisingly well, experimental electronic drones side by side with pop and jazz. Although largely focused on electronic orientated music, this collection of tracks is not afraid to explore other areas of the Norwegian music scene. Of the electronic tracks here, and there are many across the 30 tracks in the compilation, many tend – although not exclusively – towards either droning tonal textures, chilling nightmarish atmosphere or ethereal ambience.
Early on CD1 the mood is upbeat but experimental as Jaga Jazzist provides jittering fizzy beats and melodic almost oriental melodies in the form of “Two Things.” Also present is the consistently intense Biosphere, whose track “Colpa Mia” with its undulating bass tones, rhythmic mechanical samples and nervous acoustic guitar does not disappoint. Lifting the tone but maintaining the tension is Svalastog’s “Pine Solution” with its bassy train-like rhythms. Monolight’s “Still Light” is a drone-based track incorporating haunting strings and ghostly incidental sounds in a quite dark and unsettling manner. More disturbing still is “Kamelmusikk” by SPUNK with its folky flute-like meanderings, bassy backing and squelched drumming accompanied by particularly unnerving whispered female vocals, reversing them occasionally to turn up the tension a few more notches. Lightening the mood somewhat are Supersilent by introducing the dubby rhythmic jazz of “C-5.1” with its funky drums, saxophone and swirling background atmospherics resulting in a moody reflective tune. Closing CD1 is Tove Nilsen’s folk pop tune “Fingerprint,” the only vocal track on the CD.
CD2 steps up the scale of intensity and atmospheric tendencies seen on CD1. Opening with the gently pleasant echoed didgeridoo tones and eastern flute stylings of Arve Henriksen’s “Sanmyaku,” CD2 starts on a light note. Kim Hiorthøy adds a twist to proceedings with “Wait” by starting out with rainstorms, female vocal samples and gentle piano before switching halfway through to huge bassy breaks and looped chime-like melodies. Keeping up the theme is Information’s “Stacking of Different Natures 2,” a minimal track of small clicks, beats and sound bursts that slowly develops into a series of low-end bell toll chimes. Turning up the intensity is “Masker” from Øivind Idsø who produces nightmarish horror movie atmospherics using microscopic clicks and buzzes with mechanical fan-like whirs and an acute attention to detail. More disturbing still is Maja Ratkje’s “Intro” with its distant keyboard tones, manipulated female voices and, most of all, a girl reading with her voice sped up and slowed down to sinister effect. Lightening the mood are Deathprod with rolling sea static, low layered drones and the soothing swathes of sound of “Deerstalker.” Lifting the mood further is Martin Hornyveth’s rhythmic noise track “For Luca” featuring massive sub-bass, a rhythmic dub vibe and rapid junglistic beats. Closing CD2 are the beautiful country-style vocal talents of Susanna and the Magical Orchestra’s “Believer.”
Money Will Ruin Everything is an adventurous and wide-ranging collection of varied musical styles that on the whole complement each other surprisingly well. Each artist is given the chance to present a track in their own style on what is a comprehensive showcase of Norwegian talent that will particularly appeal to those with an appreciation of experimental electronic music in its many guises.
Money Will Ruin Everything is OUT NOW on Rune Grammofon.
