On Mon, 17 Aug 1998, Phylistine wrote:
| Pole's LP1 opens with the hiss and crackle of a badly scratched record,
| gradually white noise and the pops and clicks of a defective
| Pole-Waldorf Filter resolve into a subtle rhythmic pattern setting the
| percussive standard for this brilliant pseudo-ambient structure.
Just out of interest, my understanding was that "pole" referred to some
quality of filter. I know my Emu sampler has x-pole (4?) filters, and I
thought that's what Waldorf synths had too... if someone wants to
enlighten me off list that'd be lovely. :)
Anyway, I have to agree with Phylistine's comments pretty heartily, even
if the album evokes quite a different feeling for me.
Prior to getting the album (my one's called 'CD1' strangely, but I hope
it's the same ;) I was a little worried that Pole was going to be a bit of
a gimmick - that guy who uses lots of crackles and popping in the mix -
but I haven't found that to be the case.
With my music-writing hat on, it's evident he uses quite a small range of
sounds compared to some, but most BC related acts are "guilty" of that
one. Technically, he's not very interesting. The sounds he uses are not
exceptional, and easy enough to copy.
However, with my enjoying the music hat on, I love the way he writes. I
love the sounds he uses, and the space he gives his tracks. Lots of the
harmonic elements grab me as well, although I do find one or two tracks
are spoiled by a too-straightforward bass line.
I guess I'd give the album about 7 or 8 out of 10 all in all, and maybe 9
in the dark late at night. :)
Michael
"You know what? I'll call him Jet Jaguar..."
http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~michael/jj.html