Tim Hecker – Virgins (2013)

by Shawn Ciavattone

It’s not often that a piece of music can be called ‘brave’. Bravery is saved for those rare instances of assuming responsibly and acting out of selflessness. And sometimes music and musicians create such bold and powerful statements that they too can be brave.

Tim Hecker’s ‘Virgins’ is such an album.  Often described as electronic, it’s much more complex than simple beats and / or ambient noise. The compositions were all recorded live using acoustic instruments and later manipulated in the studio. This process allowed Hecker the opportunity to capture sonic textures that are usually not associated with ambient or drone music.  At times, these huge, swirling ‘drones of noise’ surround the listener; totally enveloping you. The swirling builds and becoms more frantic to the breaking point, nearly suffocating in its complexity.
It’s beautiful but hardly an easy listen.  

This is complex music that demands the attention of the listener.  Yet, Hecker rewards us with an album that turns electronic music on its head. You never hear sounds quite the same way after hearing ‘Virgins’. (Remember hearing ‘Reign in Blood’ by Slayer for the first time?  Nothing else sounded “metal” after that).

Most fascinating is that repeated listening to ‘Virgins’ allows the subtle beauty of the drones to come forward and be revealed.  You’ll need a pair of headphones and several glasses of good red wine to properly hear this masterpiece.  But it’s worth the preparation. ‘Virgins’ is a modern classic.