Phil N. DeBlank released his debut PV2 LP, “Analog Out“, in September 2021. The public response was lukewarm but critics and producers recognized the artistic value of the project. DeBlank tends to choose concepts that are over the average listeners head and “The Last Tape” is no different.
For instance, how many of you are familiar with Samuel Beckett’s one man play from 1957, “Krapps Last Tape“? Yeah, we didn’t think so. The premise of DeBlank’s “The Last Tape” is based on the play.
Krapp is an elderly man and today is his birthday. To celebrate, he digs up old tapes he recorded in his youth. Hearing his younger, much more self-assured and lively self causes a range of emotions in the ageing character. When he finally attempts a new recording, he quickly realises that he has little to say and that there isn’t much left to celebrate. I won’t spoil the ending in case you haven’t seen it but you get the gist.
DeBlank’s “Last Tape” is more ‘Mood Music’ than ‘Beat Tape’. The sample choices are obscure and well produced. Will this project finally get Phil N. DeBlank the audience his quality of production deserves? Probably Not. Does DeBlank care? Probably not. Is this really his last tape? We hope not.
“The Last Tape” will be released on PV2 Records on July 29.