A Closer Listen
In what might be considered a companion piece to Matmos’ 2019 album Plastic Anniversary, Australian violinist Anna McMichael joins forces with Clocked Out (pianist Erik Griswold and percussionist Vanessa Tomlinson) to investigate the role of plastic in human life. Unlike Matmos’ release, this album uses organic instruments, although plastic representatives make guest appearances, reminders of their ubiquity.
Each track is dedicated to a different form of plastic, beginning with polypropylene. The album vacillates between tones, primarily upbeat (as one might expect when encountering Legos and bubble wrap) but with an underlying warning: there is too much plastic, and too little of it is recycled. A recent (fictional) movie, “Under Paris,” suggests that sharks may mutate after ingesting too much plastic, becoming self-replicating, fresh water predators. There’s nothing here that scary, although the percussive “PVC” sports a “Jaws”-like theme.
In the opening of the title track, one hears what sounds like ruffled plastic sheets, followed by the popping of bubble wrap. Is there any other material that brings so much joy while posing so deep a threat? “Nylon” conflates nylon strings and piano strings, causing an unusual pollution adjusted to fit the composers’ needs. The dark overtones conjure images of birds trapped in six-pack rings, digging into them as they grow, often leading to their demise. The vibraphone-dominated “VCM” contains a breakdown (2:33) that sounds like sawing. but is quickly revealed to be the scratch of diamond on vinyl. This is a digital release, as a plastic copy might have undercut the message.
It’s a good thing tracks like “Bubble Wrap” are here to lighten the mood. In this piece, the piano and violin are tapped and plucked in a manner that imitates popping bubbles. When the drums join the fray, one forgets that they are drums, and simply pictures larger bubbles. “Sustainable Seaweed Packaging” offers an alternative, physically and musically; the sound is rounder, softer, more pliable. Some seaweed packaging is even edible, certainly tastier than an Amazon mailer.
The album ends with “PTFE,” referencing polytetrafluoroethylene, “a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene.” A quick Google search reveals that this is also known as Teflon, the famous non-stick substance that has also on occasion borne harmful chemicals. The plastic industry as a whole has seemed to be made of Teflon, growing exponentially, filling landfills and occupying its own floating garbage patches. Unlike other treatises, Pas Plastique recognizes its helpful qualities while urging restraint, emphasizing that there is already too much of a good thing and that it is past time to turn things around. (Richard Allen)
Fri Jun 06 00:01:58 GMT 2025