Urban Parable - Reviews

Norman Records... hitting the nail on the head

"Couldn't tell you much about the work of Richard Youngs and Andrew Paine as they've kinda passed me by... You probably know their stuff better than I. What we're treated to here is thirty minute astral jam utilizing elements of electro, house, techno, hip-hop, coffee table jazz, drum 'n' bass and freeform improv to create a strange party mix tape that goes on into infinity. The majority of what I've heard so far is relatively tranquil and atmospheric making the most of warm vocal tones and semi-freeform loops and beats but occasionally it kicks off in a relatively vague and inconsistent ways which makes for fun yet frustrating listening. These guys are basically teasing. I guess that's the beauty of this piece, it's a euphoric exploration of dance music and it's technologies without all the usual pay-off moments you'd expect as a punter. Slightly frustrating but worth sticking with for the magic moments." Business Lady

" Where do we even begin with this one? Anyone who thinks they might have finally got their head around the prodigious arc of Richard Young’s recent catalogue is gonna have to throw their hands in the air: Urban Parable is a new group project from Richard and Andrew Paine that masquerades as a mysterious unit coming out of the 90s rave scene (?!?) – think Ilk playing the dance tent dressed in white jump suits, sucking on menthol inhalers and waving glo-sticks. Or don’t. Richard’s soaring vocals are married to euphoric techno, brokedown drum and bass, primitive house and block rocking beats in one of the most unlikely recordings of his entire career. If you thought Ultrahits was a bold step into the pop void then this is really going to confuse you, 90s techno completely misconstrued. Obviously, you need to hear it. Edition of only 50 copies though, so better make it quick. Highest possible confusion." (Volcanic Tongue)

" Urban Parable... I mean, what the fuck?" (Alistair Crosbie)

Taking Stock - Currently Available

The following titles are still available. Each CDR release costs 5GBP, with the exception of 'Fougou: Atlantis (for John Michell)', which is available for 4GBP.

POSTAGE & PAYPAL INFORMATION - CDRS - In the UK, please add 50p towards p&p for one disc, £1 for 2 or more. Outside the UK, please add £1 towards p&p for one disc, £2 for 2 or more. Paypal is preferred - the address is sonicoysterrecords (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk.



Soliloquy Sun - Soliloquy Sun (SOR44)

Soliloquy Sun is an ambient and experimental outfit comprised of varying members and instruments. It was created out of an idea Will Klingenmeier (Burning Shutter, Still Light) had to gather various musicians to play improvised music based around simple chord progressions and/or spontaneously create music.

These recordings drift out into the room: sombre, reflective, nocturnal, deeply personal: this is a highly original work, owing much to the techniques of jazz improvisation and the early pioneering minimalist composers.

Recorded in Spring 2010, this is simply one of the most evocative recordings Sonic Oyster has put out to date.




Bolide - The Mighty Hand (SOR 42)

Edition of 50 copies CD-R on Andrew Paine’s Sonic Oyster imprint with a new blat from Brighton’s Bolide aka Bolide Awkwardstra. Bolide play freak free jazz in the tradition of The Art Ensemble, Le Forte Four and The Mothers Of Invention with a goofy communal style that moves from cosmo-shakedowns through wall-destroying breakout brass.



The Haunts of Ancient Peace (SOR40) Andrew Paine


'The Haunts of Ancient Peace' is the result of a one hour session at my piano, recorded directly onto an iphone mic.

Free and indeterminate in nature, these simple compositions chart loss and friendship through quiet, slowly evolving patterns.

The album is dedicated to AKN 1963 - 2010.

STRCTLY limited to 50 copies


In Search of the Shadow Walker (SOR39) Susan Matthews

'In Search of the Shadow Walker' is Susan's first solo release for two years and is described as an album of 'classically inspired vignettes and piano compositions'.

Susan Matthews meditates on ancient landscapes & personal histories with a keening cragged honesty - beautiful and sad.

Haunting harmonies, melancholic piano patterns, violent stabbing entreaties all unfold with unresolved tension, drama and subtle poignancy.

The album is STRICTLY limited to 80 copies


Atlantis (for John Michell) (SOR37) Fougou

'Fougou' are Brian Lavelle (Space Weather, Richard Youngs) and Matthew Shaw (Tex La Homa). The name derives from a peculiar type of subterranean structure only found in Cornwall in the extreme southwest of the United Kingdom.

'Athantis (for John Michell)' released on Sonic Oyster Records on 24 May is the next stage in Fougou's sonic descent into subterranean chambers.

Following on from their stunning debut "Reversed Dreams of this Nature', the duo offer up a meditative love letter to the English writer, John Michell, using dense textural electronics, processed acoustic instruments, vocals and field recordings conjuring up a kind of megalithic valediction to Michell's vision of fortean phenomena.

Functions of Hedgerow (SOR31) Andrew Paine

"The EP "Functions Of Hedgerow" by Andrew Paine of Scottish label Sonic Oyster Records is an all-too-brief excursion into minimal, spectral sonic tapestries. Opening with the title track, the mood is very eerie; ghostly piano chords haunted by whispering voices. 'Scent Of Green' matches resonant bass notes with whistling synths (or sounds - difficult to tell, which is a good sign), while 'Year Of Rabbit, Year Of Cat' sounds like an out-take from Tangerine Dream's "Atem" - an outstanding track.

'Walk the Field' features heavily effected voices over a spooky soundscape, while EP closer 'Corners Of Canterbury' sounds like an audio description of a macabre nocturnal world. This is an evocative and peaceful work, notable not least for the track titles. Highly recommended for those into the ambient side of things." www.terrascope.co.uk

Each to Each... Exclaims (SOR27) AP/AP

"Collaboration album between two different guys with the same name, one an artist based in the USA and the other the CEO of Sonic Oyster and frequent Richard Youngs collaborator. One 31 minute track, recorded in a series of back-and-forth mail shots. The guitar has some of the Japanese amp worshipping form of Paine’s Mekonium Reaktor, albeit processed through the bedroom fuzz-monster style of UK units like Spacemen 3 and Flying Saucer Attack. Electric guitar, bass, keyboard, radios and subliminal vocals." (Volcanic Tongue)

Urban Parable - SOLD OUT

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction" Newton's Third Law of Motion

Urban Parable is a new album and unit by Richard Youngs & Andrew Paine.

It has been said there can be no manual for experimentation and yet... and yet... Youngs & Paine appear to have found one for this project.

Moving on from where 'Robot' left off, 'Urban Parable' takes a sharp left turn down a hidden corridor to reveal euphoric electro stabs, violent techno, swaying rhythms, yearning vocal samples and insane, unexpected drum 'n' bass beats.



'Urban Parable' is SOLD OUT