Automatic Writing
Details
1979 / Release Date
LP / Format
Lovely Music / Label
Robert Ashley / Producer
Robert Ashley / Writer
Full Credits
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Critic Reviews
85
The faraway melody of an organ and the murmurings of a Polymoog, the latter evoking a crate of old-fashioned milk bottles jiggling against each other in transit, hold the space for the two voices. Layered together, these four sonic elements—or characters in an opera, as Ashley saw them—have a proto-ASMR quality, textural and sensual.
6y
What shall you focus on? The main course always begging for your attention, or the intricate and imprinting details of the side dishes? Both have been placed on your table, side by side, to offer that important distinction. Automatic Writing will help you appreciate the side dishes, the dessert, the drinks, everything except the main course. The spotlight should not always be shined on the most reaction-inducing part of a work. When the main section is plugged and muted to near silence you are ... read more
On first listen, I've already found an awkward and unconventional but nonetheless a very strong beauty lying within this album. It's like Ashley is right there, singing to you softly. It may not sound like singing, but the soul in his voice is ever present.
If your mind is open enough to read between the lines, you'll undoubtedly find your own value in this incredible piece. If not, then you'll just hear what is presented to you sonically, which you probably won't enjoy. It's up to you how ... read more
I can't really explain why, but this album is absolutely unbelievable. One of the most fascinating documents in music history simply by virtue of how beautifully the unconscious mumbles layer alongside the other elements of the piece. An absolutely exemplary display of texture with an incredible backstory too.
@empireofroses favorites 5/14!
I'm so interested it's crazy. My score looks low, but that's because I don't see myself listening to this that much, but it's like the most interesting album I've heard in a long time! The only part I could do without is like the ASMR of the two people talking, especially the man (?) who is like much louder than the french girl, he's so annoying and it kinda ruins the whole vibe for me. I LOVE that quiet moog synth or whatever ... read more
This album is definitely a unique and interesting listen, as there are many elements about it that make it a very distinct and memorable album, but I feel like this album is executed pretty well and is a pretty solid album. The vocals definitely take a bit to get used to, with the odd whispered vocals and all the mouth noises audible, but I feel like it works pretty well for what this album is going for, even if it doesn’t always work for me. This album is produced in a way that really ... read more
![Robert Ashley - Automatic Writing [Reissue]](https://cdn2.albumoftheyear.org/200x0/album/440053-automatic-writing.jpg)
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Track List
| 1 | Automatic Writing 18:00 | 77 |
| 2 | Automatic Writing 27:58 | 76 |
Total Length: 45 minutes
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1y
I listened to this in a room with zero light to really get into it. It's beautiful but while this is probably the dark's fault the start of part 2 disturbed me quite a bit
