Album Review: Voice Print by Hatten – A Sonic Puzzle from 1975
Released in 1975 under the label Middle Earth Books, Inc., Voice Print by Hatten is a curious artifact of its time. Sitting at the crossroads of Electronic, Experimental, Spoken Word, and Sound Art, this album feels less like music and more like an auditory experience that challenges your patience—and maybe even your sanity. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re into stuff that makes you scratch your head and say, “What did I just listen to?” then this might be right up your alley.
One of the standout tracks (if we can call it that) is simply titled Untitled. And honestly? That fits perfectly because trying to pin down what happens in this piece feels like trying to grab smoke. The track layers distorted voices over mechanical hums and eerie silences, creating something that feels both alien and strangely intimate. You start wondering—was this recorded in a lab? A haunted house? Someone’s fever dream? Either way, it sticks with you. Not because it’s catchy or beautiful, but because it’s unsettling. Like hearing whispers in a language you don’t understand but somehow feel compelled to decipher.
Another track worth mentioning—I wish they’d named these things—is one where spoken word takes center stage. Imagine someone reading what sounds like fragmented poetry through a broken megaphone while faint electronic tones pulse in the background. It’s jarring, sure, but there’s also a weird kind of rhythm to it. By the time it ends abruptly, leaving only silence, you realize you’ve been holding your breath. These moments make Voice Print memorable—not always in a good way, but definitely in a way that lingers.
Hatten’s work here doesn’t fit neatly into any genre box, which is probably why it slipped under the radar back in ’75. This wasn’t exactly Top 40 material, y’know? But decades later, it holds up as a bold experiment—a snapshot of an artist pushing boundaries without worrying too much about whether anyone would follow. There’s no polish, no pop sensibilities, just raw creativity spilling out in unpredictable ways.
In hindsight, Voice Print feels ahead of its time—or maybe outside of time altogether. Listening to it now, you get the sense that Hatten wasn’t trying to entertain so much as provoke thought. Or confusion. Or maybe just sheer bewilderment. Whatever the intent, it works. Kinda like how abstract art makes you stare longer than you expected, this album demands attention—even if part of you wants to turn it off halfway through.
So yeah, give Voice Print a spin if you’re feeling adventurous. Just don’t expect humming melodies or sing-along choruses. Instead, prepare yourself for something closer to an audio Rorschach test. Do I recommend it? Well… let’s just say I still can’t decide if I love it or hate it. Maybe that’s the point.
