The cello is not commonly associated with abrasive rock music but LA-based Helen Money (real name Alison Chesley) forces you to dramatically reassess the possibilities of the instrument.
On her eponymous debut in 2007, she nailed her colours to the mast with tributes to Iggy Pop and Jimi Hendrix. Her musical CV also speaks volumes since the impressive range of artists she has worked with includes Shellac, Neurosis, Earth, Nina Nastasia and Bob Mould.
While Chesley has previously recorded analogue to tape with Steve Albini, for her Thrill Jockey debut (and fourth solo record) she wanted to explore the possibilities and flexibility offered by digital recording.
The mix of acoustic and processed sounds means that we experience delicacy alongside more visceral elements.
Written after the death of both of her parents, Become Zero is an album of sadness and violence. A powerful dissonance communicates ferocity and rage but there are also moments of great delicacy and beauty.
The two sonic extremes are achieved with the help of drummer Jason Roeder (Sleep, Neurosis), Rachel Grimes (Rachel’s) and collaborator and co-producer Will Thomas (who provides sound effects and samples).
One of the key tracks is Radiate which is described as transcending struggle and hardship and working towards a place where some form of resolution is possible; a challenging process that sums up the philosophy behind the album as a whole.
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Chesley says "To end the piece I wanted it to sound like it was dissolving into space - a reference to my father, who worked on the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs.”.
Facing The Sun and Vanished Star are other titles that direct the listener to the cosmos but are also inspired by the memory of her late father. The latter imagines a place where this life and what lies beyond intersect.
In a recent interview, Chesney said that she doesn't make pretty music. She plainly prefers the rawness of power chords commonly linked to hard rock and heavy metal.
Nevertheless, the sheer boldness and intensity of this remarkable album means that emotions of depth and subtlety are conveyed without the need for words.
Helen Money's website
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