It is an uneven mix of light and dark, starting slowly, growing to a chilling middle, and ending with a somewhat silly finish. On the whole, I enjoyed it and empathized with the narrator. The special effects were far stronger than the story, however. I would listen to it again if I heard the rerun on the radio, but it wouldn't occur to me to recommend it to others.
Wonderfully textural production with layers of sound evoking pure primal connection to the subject matter. The litany of buckles for the chicklets, the pendelous rhythms - has as hypnotic an effect on the listener as on the patient. We recall laughing at the start of the piece, then apprehension, now a narcotic effect comes over us we too are drifting... in and out of procedures... did we feel a certain sharpness arcing through our jaws? Somehow we're not reassured by the knowledge that our dentist has a background in arts & crafts. The triumphal finish has us re-evaluating our initial apprehension. Great stuff!
I don't know why I am listening to this, because I am between deep-cleaning sessions myself. I can understand why this came from Neurotica, though.
So why am I saying this is a lot of fun? Because by listening to this I hope I will be able to endure my upcoming procedures.
Great writing.
The only thing I would have loved is the one-sided conversational techniques of dental types everywhere. Only after your mouth is filled with equipment do they ask you about your day. And how can they understand what you say? Maybe it's time for a sequel, Larry.
Comments for A Trip to the Dentist
This piece belongs to the series "Larry Massett stories"
Produced by Larry Massett
Other pieces by Hearing Voices
Rating Summary
3 comments
Christopher Edwards
Posted on May 16, 2004 at 06:32 PM | Permalink
Review of A Trip to the Dentist [Larry Massett]
It is an uneven mix of light and dark, starting slowly, growing to a chilling middle, and ending with a somewhat silly finish. On the whole, I enjoyed it and empathized with the narrator. The special effects were far stronger than the story, however. I would listen to it again if I heard the rerun on the radio, but it wouldn't occur to me to recommend it to others.
Sean McElroy
Posted on October 26, 2003 at 11:53 AM | Permalink
Review of A Trip to the Dentist [Larry Massett]
Wonderfully textural production with layers of sound evoking pure primal connection to the subject matter. The litany of buckles for the chicklets, the pendelous rhythms - has as hypnotic an effect on the listener as on the patient. We recall laughing at the start of the piece, then apprehension, now a narcotic effect comes over us we too are drifting... in and out of procedures... did we feel a certain sharpness arcing through our jaws? Somehow we're not reassured by the knowledge that our dentist has a background in arts & crafts. The triumphal finish has us re-evaluating our initial apprehension. Great stuff!
Jackson Braider
Posted on October 26, 2003 at 08:23 AM | Permalink
Review of A Trip to the Dentist [Larry Massett]
I don't know why I am listening to this, because I am between deep-cleaning sessions myself. I can understand why this came from Neurotica, though.
So why am I saying this is a lot of fun? Because by listening to this I hope I will be able to endure my upcoming procedures.
Great writing.
The only thing I would have loved is the one-sided conversational techniques of dental types everywhere. Only after your mouth is filled with equipment do they ask you about your day. And how can they understand what you say? Maybe it's time for a sequel, Larry.