The Contemporary Noise Ensemble is a Polish band that relies heavily upon synthesizers and prerecorded materials. Their current format features a much-reduced line-up, as well as a shift in aesthetic direction. One might describe this situation as fewer people covering more bases. After a break of nearly ten years they have released a new album entitled An Excellent Spiritual Serviceman, on the German independent label Denovali, known for its promotion of electronica, ambient, experimental pop, contemporary composition, and sound art.
Denovali states on its homepage that it considers a release's artwork and packaging as essential as the music, “the combination of both is meant to result in a coherent piece of art.” Their information pages contain wordless, clickable photographs. So any would-be buyers must engage with each picture in order to find the album they seek. One might argue that this process is as inefficient and full of surprises...