Thought I'd just give some mini-reviews for some
good things I picked up recently...
L'Usine (self-titled on Isophlux)
In a word, brilliant. Every bit of praise about this CD was
dead on... Most of the songs I would call 'abstract hip-hop',
in that the flow and BPM of the rhythms make me think
downtempo or hiphop, but much more syncopated and interesting.
Last track is stunning, almost a breakcore type thing...
Plus lots of weird evolving melodic hooks using all sorts
of strange sounds. Sometimes fuzzed out a bit, just perfectly.
One of my favorite tracks (don't have the CD with me, unfortuantely,
so I don't have the track name) has some sections were it seems
that every sound is changing pitch, and playing a little melody
(even the bass drum!). The attention to detail is amazing.
He's definitely got a distinct sound, since I can't really
put it in any of the easy classes (for example, he definitely
isn't another ae-clone...)
L'Usine ICL - a pseudo steady state (Ucover)
Again, brilliant release. I guess a little more experimental,
than the first CD, has some weird beatless fills in between
tracks. Has all the strength of the first release (great
rhythms and melodic hooks), and takes it in a new direction.
Has some more live-sounding percussion, and a bit more organic
feel to it than the first album. I think I prefer the first CD,
but this one is very much growing on me...
Starfish Pool - Rituals for the Dying. (Ucover)
Really strange release (I think in a good way :-) ) I'm guessing
most people will either love or hate this release. It has 4 long
tracks (total length 70 mins I think), which alternate between
somewhat Chain-Reaction-y techno and then creepy beatless ambient.
All the sounds are fuzzed out and distorted (In a good way).
Evokes a lot of very dark imagery... definitely only for
patient listeners.
Styrofoam - The Point Misser (Morr)
I must admit the first listen I was really dissappointed;
mainly because I think the first song is really weak.
By comparison, its like ISAN when they are sounding too cheesy
(like some of the tracks on Salamander). But after that,
the rest of the tracks are very much growing on me -
nice ISAN-like stuff, but no cheese here, and the tracks
are longer (7-10 min or so) with nice developments.
Even some cool loops using vocals and some 'real' instruments,
like piano, electric guitar (or at least a synth that sounds a
bit like one) The last track is amazing, a well-paced buildup
that ends in this blissful distorted synth lead. Ace!
Must have for BoC / ISAN / etc fans.
Regards,
Aronne
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