Over the years (unsurprisingly), Howie's work has evolved, developing from (and this is my assessment only) fast sharp bursts to more deep-listening-esque drone elements (while still based in exploring, and exploiting, the tape medium) with shifting density, tension and implied/oblique narrative playing greater roles in the overall composition.
And although Normal Bias was composed specifically for this multi-cassette format, it should be viewed not as a collection of disparate tracks but as a single long form album, the pace and changes of which are determined by tape length.
Howie mentioned to me, and I agree, that this recording delves more “spatially” because of the flexibility of the duration.
In the end, this is a wonderful two+ hour audio journey that will stretch and immerse those intrigued to take the plunge.
Normal Bias is a limited edition of 50 copies, signed and numbered by Howie. Each cassette is hand stamped, and the entire release is housed in a clamshell case with transparency art.
The cost is $30 ppd in the United States; for rest of world orders, please contact so I can calculate postage.
thanks,
Blake