P.o.P – or Psychology of Perception – is a collaborative project between seminal avant garde composer and master of the prepared piano (as first created by John Cage) and Hannes Strobl. Their aim was to explore juxtapositions of sounds: congruents and dissimilarities, contrasts and compliments. They’re also obsessive about carpets and rugs, the more exotic the better. Hence the cover art. Hence the various pictures of the two standing on, and in front of, various different patterns and weaves, examples of floorings and hangings from far-flung places. Forget your Axminsters, these guys are carpet connoisseurs, favouring the craftsmanship of Täbriz, capital of Azerbaijan, their quality products renowned for their patterns and borders, and the use of both Turkish and Persian knots. They’re head over heels for the Senneh rug, an antique by definition, and the Kerman, famed for their arabesques and dense floral patterns.
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Sonically, the album’s anything but comfortable, soft or inviting. Various types of bass – electric, upright – and piano permutations scrape and scratch and squeal and clatter in an awkward, non-ambient ambience. It needles at the peripheral sense, gnaws at the consciousness and spreads a creeping awkwardness. Recommended only for those of a more rugged disposition.
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