The years have not been kind. My cynicism has been worked at - cared for, curated even - and has established a granite-like form. And so I remain slightly suspicious of the Civilistjävel origin story, which alleges this music was made in private in Sweden in the 1990s and remained undocumented until now. In this age of over-information and amidst a reissue culture that favours the obscure, the allure of such a tale is obvious, and Civilistjävel's particularly evocative style of minimal techno and drone-n-dub flecked ambience is consistent with such shadowy genesis. I just think it's a little tooooo convenient. Nevertheless, what is undeniable is the music itself. This second volume, like the first (copies of the re-press still just about in stock) is possessed of a highly distinct stately quality. Unhurried, patient but suggestive electronic music that does effectively conjure visions of snow shadowed Scandi landscapes - if the story is made up, it's made up right. My cynicism is my cross to bear, and this music is yours to hear to decide for yourself. That said, I should note that this is an edition of just 199 numbered copies with hand-pasted sleeves and we have three copies. So it's only yours to hear if you're quick.
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"The second volume of previously unreleased material from cloak-and-dagger Swedish electronics project Civilistjävel!, compiled by the artist and manufactured by Low Company. Until last 2018's 1 LP, their work - created mostly in the 1990s, using Juno60 and Korg MS20 - had never been officially documented or disseminated. The tracks assembled on 2 pivot away from the lonesome, levitating kosmische themes of 1, and into a dronal, dubwise, heavily psychoactive minimal techno realm - leading with a monolithic, kickdrum-centered epic that spans all twelve minutes of Side 1.The other two pieces that constitute this LP are paranoid, broken, sub-heavy constructions that have echoes in the work of Jan Jelinek, T++, Pole or latterday stuff from Hidden Hawaii, but with a reserve and austere, out-of-time feel peculiar to the true European mutant/drone underworld. Stamped white label in plain paper sleeve. " LOW COMPANY
