*

Yasmine Kittles, who says she's influenced by Artaud's Theatre Of Cruelty (etc.) is the primary focus of Tearist, her L.A. PPM (and Pictureplane)-stamped duo with ex-Silver Daggers/No Age touring member William Strangeland on synthesizers. If you've seen them live, and watched Kittles smash and scrape metal while singing for her life, you'll understand why. Documenting that live energy, Living isn't a typical debut LP: The songs here are a collection of "audience recordings made in warehouses, lofts, [and] concert halls." As they explain it, "multiple versions and performance tapes are spliced, mashed, layered, collapsed and collaged to create an organically flowing album. Full songs cut with snippets and interludes capture the band in its early formation." They reference Suicide, Sonic Youth, the Stooges' Metallic K.O., etc., in the proces