Jim Haynes 'Eraldus / Eravaldus' Picture Disc LP (Elevator Bath; eeaoa206, 2008)

Allow me to start off by stating the obvious: picture discs are beautiful. It's true that they don't sound as great but it's well worth it simply for the visual quality. This and the Rick Reed Picture Disc (Saving that for the next post) are particularly striking as they're packaged and presented in a clear plastic sleeve allowing all those who wish to gaze upon them to do so with absolute ease -and gawking faces.

The Visual-

Jim Haynes rusts things. But it is in grander ideas of decadence and deterioration that Haynes holds central to his artistic endeavors. The images on this picture disc are examples of his corroded photographs, where Haynes has developed a process of embedding distressed copper and steel into the surfaces of these photos, reactivating their photosensitive properties causing remarkable rustic bruising that is visually both fascinating and remarkable. Over time (In some instances even years later) these seemingly ephemeral reactions continue to subtly shift in colour and texture, resulting in an ever-dynamic visual display of ongoing decay. You can view his exhibitions here

The Aural-

Jim is a busy guy. As a visual artist, music writer, co-owner* of Aquarius Records, Editorial Director of 23five, overlord** of the Helen Scarsdale Agency, and one-half of the "eco-minimalists" known as Coelacanth it's hard to believe that he's had any time to make music of his own. In any case, he has ventured out on his own, conjuring up some really solid work. No exception with Eraldus/Eravaldus (which translates directly as 'allocation/personal property' from Estonian), a record that is so steeped in decay it's hard not to fall apart yourself after listening to it.

Eraldus starts things of with a static current that slowly builds and eventually sounds like a helicopter crash landing into a giant cavern, then seamlessly gives way to pressurized drones covered in years of dust, debris and melted wax. Eravaldus begins in similar territory but is an overall more abrasive affair. Amplified space and agitated atmospheres ring out over corroded landscapes, a black hole of sound, swallowing everything in proximity. From start to finish this record is an exploration of space and time and it's relation to sounds, patiently transitioning from one sonic environment to the next. These are the sounds of mountains eroding away and (malleable) shorelines dissolving into the oceans, only sped up so we can listen to our Earth crumbling before our eyes. I am beginning to love the idea of decay; I tend to go about my day with the idea lodged in the back of my mind. Jim has really taken it to the next level, embodying the idea in his art and life and now in this spectacular record.

Get it if you can...260 copies. Elevator Bath

* Edited from co-founder, **Edited from member (Saturday, October 19, 2009)