Sachiko M, Toshimaru Nakamura, Otomo Yoshihide - Good Morning Good Night

_{2003 | Onkyo, EAI}

Recently I've found myself thinking about infinities often (which, to be honest, is not true, but for the sake of my upcoming points I'm pretending it is), specifically with the idea that they come in different sizes. Big infinities are the most well-known iteration of the concept - think space, never-ending numbers - small infinities, though, are where the concept becomes very intriguing.

Take this idea for example: in any given area, there is (theoretically) an infinite amount of space. Admittedly, this is somewhat paradoxical, as for a set space to be defined it means it has a beginning and an end, but the concept lies outside any boundaries of normal thought; it relies on the imagination of matter on infinitely small scales. Whatever you think the smallest object is - whether it be an atom, electron, quark - think smaller.And then go smaller. And smaller again. As you continue to go smaller, these microscopic objects become massive. Electrons are suddenly the size of galaxies. Quarks are suddenly the size of solar systems. They can be perceived in the mind's eye as much bigger than they truly are. The infinity lies in the fact that there is no limit to how small you can go - on the other hand, this also means that there is no limit to how big these tiny objects can be perceived.

But, perception could be considered the true reality of things; this reality manifests itself on Good Morning Good Night. Despite existing in a limited space (in this case the 101 minutes of runtime), the artists at work here have created an infinity. Microscopic sounds and beeps barely make their way out of your headphones; tinnitus-like sine waves so quiet etch their way into your skull; tiny episodes of turntable static add chaos to the impossible faintness; and yet, despite the music being so small, the soundscapes perceived are infinitely big - the soundscapes are infinitely big.

This is the music for these infinities. Whether or not that makes the music good though is for you to decide.