<REVIEW> Audiochrome: Techno Unit 30
(International Audiochrome - 2000)
When I first heard that Larry Kucharz, he of the hyperextended Fairlight
tones, was doing a "techno album", I was afraid that it meant a return to his
early roots a la Unit 23, which featured clinically stark, staccato tonal
bursts. With the opening track (U301) of Techno Unit 30, Larry (appearing
under the nom de disc of Audiochrome) seems to be doing just that... But
after a few echoey repetitions, a more pronounced 4/4 beats appears, followed
lush tones and self-replicating trills over the top... and hey, while a bit
sterile still, there's a definite groove happening here! Layered elements
come and go, a brief "bass" riff, whispy synth gusts, and various looping
effects, all powered by a drivingly straight forward beat system.
As if becoming more accustomed to the genre, U302 (9:44) becomes looser right
away... the flow seeming more natural, the movements more reflexive, the low
end funkier. Cool and mechanical, U303, while peppy enough, seems more
robotic. With deep organ-like pulsations topped by crystalline blasts, U305
(5:30) explores various percussion sounds including pattering cymbals,
woodblocks and faux handclaps.
A rough serpentine pulsation wriggles through the otherwise dreamy breezes of
U306, giving the whole scene a darkly danceable quality. Lively synth
energies build as U308 takes off then locks into a seductively trancey
rhythm; led by its riffling bass riff, this track simply rocks! U309 closes
the festivities, layering its softer synthclouds over the mid-tempo rhythm
structure beneath.
Lingering after the music, the questions remain... are Larry's new sonic
directions Techno enough for the true aficionado of the Detroit Sound? Are
they too removed from the Kucharz-style to satisfy previous followers? While
those quandaries will have to be answered on a personal basis, I must express
my admiration of an artist who's so willing to break through any
preconceptions of what his sound is or should be... and for one who does it
this well. An interesting endeavor in style-blending, even if only for this
single project. Don't expect to see Audiochrome playing at some NYC rave, but
with 8.4-ranked Techno Unit 30, Larry Kucharz steps out from his definitive
synthscapes, and onto a digital dancefloor, on his own terms. Hear
traditional techno forms as filtered through the prism of a musician whose
roots are decidedly outside of that scene.
In case you missed it, we interviewed Larry Kucharz last December.
David J Opdyke AmbiEntrance:
http://www.spiderbytes.com/ambientrance
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available from Hypnos
http://www.hypnos.com/Merchant/merchant.mv
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available from BACKROADS MUSIC toll free (800) 767-4748
email: backroad@well.com website: backroadsmusic.com
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Visit the International Audiochrome Website at
http://www.hypnos.com/kucharz
.htm
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