Hello idm,
I picked up the new Pan-american album on Kranky today. I have to say
that I find it to be absolutely brilliant. I have not followed Mark
Nelson too closely; I bought the first Pan-American CD and have not
really kept up with the subsequent releases. I am very pleased that I
picked this album up. Pan-American is the minimalist side project of
Labradford Guitarist Mark Nelson.
The first 2 sides are the ones I like the most. Side 1 features a slow
breaks groove, with nice dubby bass and clicky percussion. I cannot help
but think that this is where Stephan Betke should have taken Pole after
the first LP. I can definitely hear the hardwax influence on this album,
it is still very much a Pan-American record, but you can tell that he
has been listening to Berlin Dub.
Side 2 is more of the 4/4 dance floor vibe. I like this track because it
is a reflection of a reflection. Here is an American indie-rock
guitarist trying to sound like a German DJ trying to sound like a
Jamaican Dub producer. It is interesting because the perspective is off
and it is a meta-misinterpretation. While this side contains elements
that would be standard on a Chain Reaction record, it has other sonic
elements that do not belong there. The Brass flares and the Rhodes Piano
along with other heavily processed ambient sounds take the Berlin sound
in a completely different direction. If you like Berlin, and are looking
for something different and refreshing, look into this Album. This side
is Basic Channel done absolutely wrong, and it is brilliant.
Side 3 features 2 track the outer track is very Pole sounding, but still
a little off kilter. It is all right, but I think it might need a little
time to grow on me. The inside track is another 4/4 cut. It is all right
not very compelling.
Side 4 seems to reference the first Pan-American full length in the most
direct manner. I quite like this side, and I view it as being a nod
towards the earlier Pan-American sound. I get a weird feeling from it,
like something is not quite right, a certain darkness lurking in the
background. Even though it does reflect the past, there is a definite
evolution. Even though there is growth, it is some how misformed.
Instead of the cold austerity of the first album, this seems boozier and
much more menacing. This is the soundtrack for urban hipsters wasting
their potential in dive bars on the wrong side of town.
The thing that really strikes me is the composition of the music. There
is so much going on, but there is not a lot going on at the same time. I
can name off all the elements and give approximate descriptions, but it
will not do this music justice.
I can say that the music is very well written, and very subtle. The
music is always changing and evolving, but it is never jarring. It is a
bit like driving, you look out your window and realize you are in a
completely different area, but you are not quite sure how you got there.
I highly recommend this release if you are looking for a recording of
melancholy down tempo minimalism. The song writing, production, and
arrangement are all stellar. This album has a few disappointing moments,
but the times when it shines make this double pack worth the price of
admission.
--
Michael Taylor : Chrome3@ix.netcom.com
http://homes.arealcity.com/Intermodal/index.html
"I am still learning." Michelangelo
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