:: Autechre - Key Nell Remixes 12" (Warp)
The two interpretations Autechre have offered of Gescom's Key Nell
(released on Skam earlier this year) seem strangely primitive compared to
their more recent works to date. With each release, Booth and Brown's
sequencing ability has become increasingly sophisticated and dense. Lacking
Autechre's dark and brooding signature complexity, the Key Nell remixes
sound very much like Gescom's older projects "Gescom 2" (skam) and "Motor
ep" (source). Both tracks are minimal workouts in breaks, with a subtle
trace of hip hop woven into a light keyboard workout on the b-side remix.
But the better of the two remixes is the a-side, with a squeaky clean
rhythm that merrily thumps and clicks over mellowing synth. It's a nice
trip into Autechre's nostalgic past, but lacks the depth and intrigue that
the duo have mastered in their maturity. 7/10
Out November 25th, 1996
:: Mira Calix - Ilanga 10" (Warp)
Mark Clifford was finally held responsible for Warp's anonymous limited
release, "Woodenspoon" released just a few months ago. Now, with a second
anonymous release lined up for release at the end of the month,
trainspotters will be breaking heads over Mira Calix. Could it be a new
Aphex record? Well, it has a peculiar Rephlexish flavour, pulling together
elements of Cylob's "Industrial Folk Songs" 12" and some of RDJ's noiser
products. The A-Side opens up like a sledge hammer with a tidal chunks of
roaring noise. Slowly evolving in strange textures and patterns, the track
builts and builts, shattering speakers cones and splintering styluses. On
the reverse, the b-side track never gets past a subdued hush, with organic
analogue blurps strewn about on its ever-expanding canvas. While Mira Calix
may be noisy enough to be Chris Jeffs, it has a certain unexplainable RDJ
flavour. And doesn't the name Mira Calix seem strikingly similar to Aphex
Twin's series of Calx tracks? (Green, Yello, Blue, etc.) The final answer
remains to be heard, but in the meantime, kill to hear this. 9/10
Out October 28th, 1996
:: Aphex Twin - Richard D. James (Warp)
If you can stomach Polygon Window chatting up Squarepusher in a musty
downtown flat, drinking strong tea with the Gentle People, you'd come
somewhere close to where Richard James has gone with his new album. While
his beautiful singing voice may be noticeably missing since he came out
on the "Boy/Girl" ep, there's still plenty of captivating tunes to go
around. Cornish Acid lurches and grinds wacky stuttering breaks over
typical RDJ melodic doodlings. It takes me back to some of the weirder
moments from his last album, "I Care Because You Do." And the closing
number, "Logon-Rock Witch" is a quiet first for James, sounding like a
strange circus freak show with looping slide flutes and cheesy organ. The
rest of the album continues James' drum'n bass evolution where Hangable
Auto Bulb left off, tipping the scale with dynamic rhythm structures and
syrupy instrumentals. And to top that, "Richard D. James" features by far
the greatest album cover of all time. Like James' previous album, the cover
features a facial closeup of himself, only this time looking looking like a
satanic devil creature. If the last album cover gave you nightmares, this
one is surely set to put you in your grave. 8/10
Out November 4th, 1996
On now: The Grassy Knoll "Positive" (Nettwerk)
Lame Thread Prevention in Effect: Aaron Michelson
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