IDM Mailing Archive

On Fri, 30 Oct 1998 20:56:20 -0500, you wrote:

quoted 1 line `Could anyone supply me with a review of the new Plaid album?

> `Could anyone supply me with a review of the new Plaid album?

Heh, I seem to remember when it was first released (almost a year ago), many people on this list slated it because it <shock!> had a few vocal tracks and acoustic instruments in the mix. Apparently, some people decided that to include such elements was the antithesis of IDM. Personally, I thought they were talking out their butt. If you're not as short-sighted as those folk, then 'Not For Threes' is a gorgeous album. If it accomplishes anything, it proves that Andy and Ed were pretty much responsible for 80% of the classic Black Dog style and sound. But having said that, don't expect 'Not For Threes' to be a follow-up to 'Spanners'. Whilst there are similarities, it's the differences that are much more interesting. Having lived with it for about 10 months, it does look a little bit average now. Some of the tracks haven't aged well. I'd say the first half of the album is pretty much spot on, it loses itself a little bit after that, with only 'Rakimou' and 'Milh' standing out in the second half. Worth getting? Definitely. But you may want to track down the 'Undoneson' EP (Warp), the 'Android' EP (Clear), the Reflections remix 12-inch (Clear) and the new Kushti LP (Octopus) to hear Plaid at their best. It's also worth getting hold of Leila's 'Feeling' EP -- the title track has been remixed at Plaid's studio. So much so that that it practically *is* Plaid. New Plaid album out on Warp early in the new year. /\/)ark http://www.sonance.demon.co.uk/

On Sat, 31 Oct 1998, Mark Stevens wrote:

quoted 10 lines On Fri, 30 Oct 1998 20:56:20 -0500, you wrote:

> On Fri, 30 Oct 1998 20:56:20 -0500, you wrote: > > > `Could anyone supply me with a review of the new Plaid album? > > Heh, I seem to remember when it was first released (almost a year > ago), many people on this list slated it because it <shock!> had a few > vocal tracks and acoustic instruments in the mix. Apparently, some > people decided that to include such elements was the antithesis of > IDM. Personally, I thought they were talking out their butt. >

your not bitter are you? :)

quoted 7 lines If you're not as short-sighted as those folk, then 'Not For Threes' is

> If you're not as short-sighted as those folk, then 'Not For Threes' is > a gorgeous album. If it accomplishes anything, it proves that Andy and > Ed were pretty much responsible for 80% of the classic Black Dog style > and sound. But having said that, don't expect 'Not For Threes' to be a > follow-up to 'Spanners'. Whilst there are similarities, it's the > differences that are much more interesting. >

I disagree. yes many elements of classic black dog are present. However, the album sounds very inhuman. Like androids made it. Black dog for me had awarmth to it. The music was full of emotions. For the most part not for threes isn't. Plaid have it in them but not on this album. Plaid to me seem to be better at remixing than producing. To state that they were the responsible ones is short sighted. Ever hear the black dog live tape? Much of the magic of early black dog is there. So who is responsible? I for one think it was a partnership and they complimeted each other well. Without each other they are just different. And all this is coming from a plaid fan.

quoted 6 lines Having lived with it for about 10 months, it does look a little bit

> Having lived with it for about 10 months, it does look a little bit > average now. Some of the tracks haven't aged well. I'd say the first > half of the album is pretty much spot on, it loses itself a little bit > after that, with only 'Rakimou' and 'Milh' standing out in the second > half. >

yes it is an average album that hardly gets any play around my house. I do play their remixes quite a lot though.

quoted 6 lines Worth getting? Definitely. But you may want to track down the

> Worth getting? Definitely. But you may want to track down the > 'Undoneson' EP (Warp), the 'Android' EP (Clear), the Reflections remix > 12-inch (Clear) and the new Kushti LP (Octopus) to hear Plaid at their > best. It's also worth getting hold of Leila's 'Feeling' EP -- the > title track has been remixed at Plaid's studio. So much so that that > it practically *is* Plaid

worth getting? if it is cheap yes. If not spend your money on tracking down plaid remixes. -daniel

On Sun, 1 Nov 1998 11:20:34 -0600 (CST), you wrote:

quoted 3 lines Apparently, some people decided that to include such elements

>> Apparently, some people decided that to include such elements >> was the antithesis of IDM. Personally, I thought they were >> talking out their butt.

quoted 1 line your not bitter are you? :)

>your not bitter are you? :)

Not at all! I just think it's strange that some people in this list refuse to listen to anything that contains vocals (or a song) or acoustic instruments. For these people, IDM should be nothing but synthesis. Fair enough -- if they prefer that music, good luck to them, but they're only missing out on some great IDM. For example, take Bjork's stuff. 'Post' and 'Homogenic' are great IDM albums, as are the various singles (practically an album's worth of remixes in each case) they spawned. But there are people in this list who won't agree.

quoted 3 lines I disagree. yes many elements of classic black dog are present. However,

>I disagree. yes many elements of classic black dog are present. However, >the album sounds very inhuman. Like androids made it. Black dog for me >had awarmth to it.

I know what you mean. 'Spanners', in particular, radiates more warmth than most albums of its ilk, but there are plenty of Plaid moments that have that same emotional context. 'Undoneson', 'Kortisin', 'Rakimou' and 'Milh' are on par with anything on 'Spanners'.

quoted 1 line To state that they were the responsible ones is short sighted.

>To state that they were the responsible ones is short sighted.

Why? Most of Black Dog's 'warmest' moments have Ed and Andy stamped all over them. I'm not knocking Ken Downie's work -- 'Music for Adverts' was excellent stuff -- but my favourite Black Dog tracks have always been the ones where Plaid obviously had a bigger share of the production pie.

quoted 3 lines Ever hear the black dog live tape? Much of the magic of early black dog

>Ever hear the black dog live tape? Much of the magic of early black dog >is there. So who is responsible? I for one think it was a partnership >and they complimeted each other well.

I agree -- I think it's a shame that Black Dog split, because the mixture of Ed & Andy's melodic techno and Ken Downie's ear for rhythm and ethnic sounds complimented each other perfectly. But now they've gone their separate ways, they've been able to hone their respective areas to a fine point, resulting in some fine music outside the Black Dog collective. And I'll never forgive Warp for not releasing Downie's Babylon project! /\/)ark http://www.sonance.demon.co.uk/

quoted 4 lines For example, take Bjork's stuff. 'Post' and 'Homogenic' are great

> For example, take Bjork's stuff. 'Post' and 'Homogenic' are great IDM > albums, as are the various singles (practically an album's worth of > remixes in each case) they spawned. But there are people in this list > who won't agree.

YES, I am the one... My "top dogs" list looks something like: 1. Virtual EP 2. Age Of Slack 3. The Black Dog EP 4. Parasight EP 5. Mbuki Mvuki Mini LP bye rob p.s. Anyone have a quality tape copy of BD live in Toronto 97... I'd really love to hear that... If you want to trade, please let me know. Also does anyone have Black Dog EP on Rising High (not Parasight), I'd love to hear that one, too...

In message <363b6e7e.5062586@post.demon.co.uk>, Mark Stevens <mark@sonance.demon.co.uk> writes

quoted 1 line New Plaid album out on Warp early in the new year.

>New Plaid album out on Warp early in the new year.

and let us not forget that "not for threes" refers to the telephone line in a hospital (333) relating to resuscitating a patient, if the patient's not for three's then they're beyond resuscitation. hmm. -- Ben Coffer http://www.hybridgame.demon.co.uk/

Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 11:20:34 -0600 (CST) From: <daniel@eliteware.com> Subject: Re: (idm) Plaid - "Not For Threes" On Sat, 31 Oct 1998, Mark Stevens wrote:

quoted 4 lines On Fri, 30 Oct 1998 20:56:20 -0500, you wrote:

> On Fri, 30 Oct 1998 20:56:20 -0500, you wrote: > > > `Could anyone supply me with a review of the new Plaid album? >

I have to disagree with both of the other two reviews. I think "Not For Threes" is the best release yet for what was "The Black Dog". While I have been a long time fan, I like both "Music For Adverts and Short Films" and "Not For Threes" better than any of the earlier full lenghts. They both seem a lot more coherent to me. I never liked all of the tracks on previous releases, but I listen to both of the newer fulls straight through with a smile from ear to ear. I don't feel any "inhumanity" whatsoever. It seems the warmest of their releases (especially the second half). I've heard people describe Autechre as inhuman and cold, which I can see although I disagree. I just don't see how that description fits this album at all. "Not for Threes" is warm, fluid, dynamic and mostly just beautiful. I thought "Not For Threes" was the best release of '97. I don't usually flame like this. I just really like the album a lot. If you can get it domestic with 2 extra tracks, go for it. All this said, I haven't heard anything following this album, so I guess that stuff could be even better... Tristan ===================================================== PHONOPSIA<tristan@iowacity.net> www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Lounge/5102

quoted 3 lines I don't usually flame like this. I just really like the album a lot. If you

> I don't usually flame like this. I just really like the album a lot. If you > can get it domestic with 2 extra tracks, go for it. >

a differing of an opinion is not a flame. It actually amounts to intelligent discourse. One should never be afraid to state their opinion. Now if you had called me an idiot for what I said, that would be a flame. Mandatory IDM content: heartily recommend the new neotropic. Dense, dark and astonishing. -daniel

On Sun, 01 Nov 1998 15:11:05 -0600, you wrote:

quoted 1 line I have to disagree with both of the other two reviews.

>I have to disagree with both of the other two reviews.

Well, life would be exceedingly boring if we all agreed!

quoted 2 lines I think "Not For Threes" is the best release yet for what was

>I think "Not For Threes" is the best release yet for what was >"The Black Dog".

My "top dogs" list looks something like: 1. Spanners 2. Undoneson EP 3. Music for Adverts (and short films) 4. Bytes 5. Not For Threes 6. Android EP 7. Temple of Transparent Balls 8. Parallel Spanners is my definite all-time favourite. There's not much to separate the next six, but Parallel is a bit ropey. (And GPR released it against BD's wishes anyway.)

quoted 3 lines I don't feel any "inhumanity" whatsoever. It seems the warmest of their

>I don't feel any "inhumanity" whatsoever. It seems the warmest of their >releases (especially the second half). I've heard people describe Autechre >as inhuman and cold, which I can see although I disagree.

Agreed. If you followed Autechre right through from Warp's 'AI' compilation, all the way up to 'lp5' -- and listened to each album in context with everything else that was coming out at the respective time -- it was a consistent evolution in style that never lost its emotional context. For me, 'Amber' is one of the warmest techno albums I've ever heard. The emotional content was somewhat subdued in 'Tri Repetae' (and beyond), but it's still there.

quoted 2 lines All this said, I haven't heard anything following this album, so I guess

>All this said, I haven't heard anything following this album, so I guess >that stuff could be even better...

Check out the new Kushti album. Oh, and grab hold of Leila's 'Feeling'. The track was remixed in Plaid's studio -- so much so that it sounds suspiciously like an uncredited Plaid remix. It just doesn't sound rough enough to be entirely Leila's own work. I trust you've got Nicolette's album too, full of tasty Plaid morsels. /\/)ark http://www.sonance.demon.co.uk/

At 08:20 PM 10/31/98 GMT, Mark Stevens wrote:

quoted 3 lines Heh, I seem to remember when it was first released (almost a year

>Heh, I seem to remember when it was first released (almost a year >ago), many people on this list slated it because it <shock!> had a few >vocal tracks and acoustic instruments in the mix.

Actually, the main reason I panned it was because it's weak. Repeated listenings have only made this painfully clear - it's not getting better w/ age. I stand by my original evaluation - emotionless techno-by-numbers. I regret that I didn't sell my copy before the Nothing version was announced.

quoted 6 lines If you're not as short-sighted as those folk, then 'Not For Threes' is

>If you're not as short-sighted as those folk, then 'Not For Threes' is >a gorgeous album. If it accomplishes anything, it proves that Andy and >Ed were pretty much responsible for 80% of the classic Black Dog style >and sound. But having said that, don't expect 'Not For Threes' to be a >follow-up to 'Spanners'. Whilst there are similarities, it's the >differences that are much more interesting.

If it accomplishes anything, it proves that Warp fucked up bigtime in dropping Black Dog. In 5 years, we'll still be talking about "Music For Adverts", while "Not For Threes" will be an album that you have trouble giving away. Someday soon I hope to give a track by track rundown on who did what Black Dog tracks. While trying to identify the Live Tape tracks I released I have a pretty good grip on their individual styles. I think your 80% figure is WAY OFF. Based on a preliminary analysis, I would say somewhere between 60-70%, which is what you'd expect for 2/3 of a group that doesn't really collaborate (I'd love to know how true this is - I occasionally hear elements of both styles, like on Olivine, and wonder if Ed & Ken did work together, or whether they just influenced each other. If they didn't work together at all, it seems a little weird, but based on my own experiences w/ electronic music collaborations & "creative types" it would not surprise me).

quoted 2 lines Having lived with it for about 10 months, it does look a little bit

>Having lived with it for about 10 months, it does look a little bit >average now.

"A little bit average"??? Try letting go of your emotional attachment to Ed & Andy and be honest - it's below average, and way below what they're capable of.

quoted 1 line Worth getting? Definitely.

>Worth getting? Definitely.

...if you buy it used, and it shows up a lot on people's FS/FT lists, so you won't have to wait long.

quoted 2 lines But you may want to track down the

>But you may want to track down the >'Undoneson' EP (Warp),

...if you like paying $10 for 1 track you have & 2 below average tracks you don't have (note: at least US fans now get these tracks as a bonus on the Nothing release)

quoted 5 lines the 'Android' EP (Clear), the Reflections remix

> the 'Android' EP (Clear), the Reflections remix >12-inch (Clear) and the new Kushti LP (Octopus) to hear Plaid at their >best. It's also worth getting hold of Leila's 'Feeling' EP -- the >title track has been remixed at Plaid's studio. So much so that that >it practically *is* Plaid.

Finally, you're starting to sound sensible. Don't forget the Studio Pressure remix, the Bjork remixes, and the dozens of other Plaid remixes that are way better than anything on Not For Threes.

quoted 1 line New Plaid album out on Warp early in the new year.

>New Plaid album out on Warp early in the new year.

Let's hope they snap out of it & deliver this time. Che

On Sun, 1 Nov 1998, Che wrote: | If it accomplishes anything, it proves that Warp fucked up bigtime in | dropping Black Dog. In 5 years, we'll still be talking about "Music For | Adverts", while "Not For Threes" will be an album that you have trouble | giving away. I guess I still won't be listening then. It sounds like I experience exactly the reverse of what you do. I find 'Music for Adverts' so damn frustrating, and a completely soulless bunch of ideas. Sure, it has ideas, not just rehash, but a crap idea is a crap idea, and that's all I hear. I think Plaid's album is patchy, but there are things on it that I'd consider listening to, which puts it above 'Music for Adverts' to my ears. It's also amusing that my flatmate would be agreeing fully with Che if he was on here - this seems to be quite a common disagreement between fans of the older Black Dog. Well, actually both of us like 'Spanners' most, so not that much older BDP. Michael ____________________________________________ "Also, he has automatic evasion devices" http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~michael/jj.html

On Sun, 1 Nov 1998 14:05:53 -0800 (PST), you wrote:

quoted 4 lines If it accomplishes anything, it proves that Warp fucked up bigtime in

>If it accomplishes anything, it proves that Warp fucked up bigtime in >dropping Black Dog. In 5 years, we'll still be talking about "Music For >Adverts", while "Not For Threes" will be an album that you have trouble >giving away.

it's easy to see why warp dropped ken - music for adverts doesn't sound 'right'.. the production's a bit rough, there are some right cheesy sounds on there, some of it's a bit too in-your-face, so they opted to go with plaid, who (these days) are making nice slick easy-to-swallow capsules of electronica (which is the main criteria for getting onto the purple mothership these days it seems). problem is that adverts gets better every time you hear it (warmth and passion!) and not for threes gets worse. and judging by the wap100 tune by plaid, not for threes wasn't a blip on the timeline. what's the reason? i tend to think that the balil and plaid material pre-split accounted for almost all the best bdp had to offer. seeing the way they've continued alone, it seems likely that even if all three were not 'together' when making certain tracks, they really were. <waves> Subconscious Geography http://www.sub-con-geo.demon.co.uk +/sale +/cdr

How can anybody NOT like an album with lyrics like this: "And now I can laugh at myself instead of blaming myself and now I'm lighthearted and free because nothing makes sense anymore I was wrong" <><><><><> Or is it the very fact that there *are* lyrics that disturbs some purists? Anybody who doesn't have this album and can get the version with the additional EP tracks on (Spudink is wonderful) should jump on it. But then again - this is entirely down to personal taste, for which there is no accounting. Yes, this is a far departure from Bytes (which I adore) but then who says that artists should maintain the same recognisable style? If they DO, we all start grumbling about how predictable and boring they are... I * // SEX&DRUGS&EXPERIMENTAL*ELECTRONICA.\\

On Mon, 2 Nov 1998, Irene McC wrote:

quoted 15 lines How can anybody NOT like an album with lyrics like this:

> How can anybody NOT like an album with lyrics like this: > > "And now I can laugh at myself > instead of blaming myself > and now I'm lighthearted and free because > nothing makes sense anymore > I was wrong" > > <><><><><> > > Or is it the very fact that there *are* lyrics that disturbs some > purists? Anybody who doesn't have this album and can get the > version with the additional EP tracks on (Spudink is wonderful) > should jump on it. >

it wasn't the lyrics that bugged me. When they are well crafted and sung well I can appreciate them. What bugged me was that the album sounded like techno by the numbers. No emotion. Perhaps it is there and I just don't see it. Their remixes however do have it. When you hear what they have done it makes not for threes pale in comparison. -daniel

On Mon, 2 Nov 1998 17:57:05 +0200, you wrote:

quoted 2 lines Or is it the very fact that there *are* lyrics that disturbs some

>Or is it the very fact that there *are* lyrics that disturbs some >purists?

not for me, i would be overjoyed if plaid did 5 albums of acapella and animal noise experiments. as long as they stop Playing Around With Expensive Synthesizers. my coffee table's only so big.

quoted 5 lines But then again - this is entirely down to personal taste, for which

>But then again - this is entirely down to personal taste, for which >there is no accounting. Yes, this is a far departure from Bytes >(which I adore) but then who says that artists should maintain the >same recognisable style? If they DO, we all start grumbling about >how predictable and boring they are...

i honestly wouldn't complain if they kept recreating Bytes to the same standard as the original forever and ever. if only they were capable of that! i'm sure it would keep me very happy, and i wouldn't be so compelled to try doing the same myself - an unenviable task... but no, poor plaid fell into the trap... still, i'll always hold out for them. retreat, retreat! <waves> Subconscious Geography http://www.sub-con-geo.demon.co.uk +/sale +/cdr

On Mon, 2 Nov 1998 17:57:05 +0200, you wrote:

quoted 5 lines But then again - this is entirely down to personal taste, for which

>But then again - this is entirely down to personal taste, for which >there is no accounting. Yes, this is a far departure from Bytes >(which I adore) but then who says that artists should maintain the >same recognisable style? If they DO, we all start grumbling about >how predictable and boring they are...

This is the reason why I got into IDM in the first place. Back in the late 80s, I was dithering around with UK and Italian house -- with a bit of Bomb the Bass on the side. Then <womp!> I was hit by 808 State's '90', which blew me away. A friend had a copy of the album in his walkman -- I decided to check it out seeing as I enjoyed 'Pacific'. Needless to say, I had my friend's copy of '90' for about four months. '90' was the turning point for me. After getting my own copy, I ran out and bought 'Quadrastate' and 'Newbuild', and they knocked me for six too. Since then, I haven't looked back -- along came the likes of Orbital, Orb, LFO, Nightmares on Wax... and it all took off from there. What point was I making? Oh yes -- all the artists I started following the late 80s/early 90s were those who attempted to do something *different* with each album. Sometimes the experiment didn't work, but at least you knew the artists were trying, rather than rewriting the same track over and over again. /\/)ark http://www.sonance.demon.co.uk/

On Mon, 02 Nov 1998 07:19:22 GMT, you wrote:

quoted 3 lines it's easy to see why warp dropped ken - music for adverts doesn't

>it's easy to see why warp dropped ken - music for adverts doesn't >sound 'right'.. the production's a bit rough, there are some right >cheesy sounds on there.

I don't think that's reason enough for Warp to drop someone. If you want rough cheese, you've only got to look at Aphex Twin's 'Richard D. James' album. Cheese on a rough stick! /\/)ark http://www.sonance.demon.co.uk/

On Mon, 2 Nov 1998, Mark Stevens wrote: | On Mon, 02 Nov 1998 07:19:22 GMT, you wrote: | >it's easy to see why warp dropped ken - music for adverts doesn't | >sound 'right'.. the production's a bit rough, there are some right | >cheesy sounds on there. | I don't think that's reason enough for Warp to drop someone. If you | want rough cheese, you've only got to look at Aphex Twin's 'Richard D. | James' album. Cheese on a rough stick! I'm presuming RDJ sold though. Plaid's cross over potential (Nicolette ex-Massive Attack and Bjoerk) and oh-so "professionally produced" music keeps them on, is I think the point the poster from Subconscious Geography was making... On the flip-side what Ken got up to didn't fit on either grounds, with few concessions to what's cool now, etc. I tend to agree. If sales in my area are any indication, Warp would have dropped Ken simply because 'Music for Adverts' sunk without trace. You could find it in sales bins for the equivelant of about three pounds here shortly after its release. Oh yeah, and while I still hate 'Music for Adverts', I do think Plaid's production etc. is quite over the top on the "nice and clear" front. Sometimes I _like_ sounds to be muffled and ambiguous, or things to get seriously dirty. Even the distortion sounds carefully equalised and filtered. Michael np. 'The Driving Memoirs' - Morgan Geist ____________________________________________ "Also, he has automatic evasion devices" http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~michael/jj.html

On Sun, 1 Nov 1998 14:05:53 -0800 (PST), you wrote:

quoted 2 lines If it accomplishes anything, it proves that Warp fucked up bigtime in

>If it accomplishes anything, it proves that Warp fucked up bigtime in >dropping Black Dog.

And then some. I couldn't wait for Babylon -- then Warp dropped it because it didn't quite fit in with their master plan. Arses. In 5 years, we'll still be talking about "Music For

quoted 2 lines Adverts", while "Not For Threes" will be an album that you have trouble

>Adverts", while "Not For Threes" will be an album that you have trouble >giving away.

quoted 3 lines Someday soon I hope to give a track by track rundown on who did what Black

>Someday soon I hope to give a track by track rundown on who did what Black >Dog tracks. While trying to identify the Live Tape tracks I released I >have a pretty good grip on their individual styles.

Anyone out there able to spin off an MD of this for me? All I've heard are scratchy real audio snippets.

quoted 1 line I think your 80% figure is WAY OFF.

>I think your 80% figure is WAY OFF.

I think what I meant to say was that my particular favourite BD tracks have tended to be those with a Plaid bias.

quoted 1 line Based on a preliminary analysis, I would say somewhere between 60-70%.

>Based on a preliminary analysis, I would say somewhere between 60-70%.

Oh well, at best only 10% out!

quoted 2 lines Having lived with it for about 10 months, it does look a little bit

>>Having lived with it for about 10 months, it does look a little bit >>average now.

quoted 3 lines "A little bit average"??? Try letting go of your emotional attachment to

>"A little bit average"??? Try letting go of your emotional attachment to >Ed & Andy and be honest - it's below average, and way below what they're >capable of.

I've no emotional attachment. I merely think that tracks like 'Rakimou', 'Milh', 'Headspin' and 'Undoneson' are some of Plaid's finest moments. Of course, the reverse is also true -- the album contains some of Plaid's worst moments.

quoted 4 lines the 'Android' EP (Clear)

>>the 'Android' EP (Clear) >>the Reflections remix 12-inch (Clear) >>Kushti LP (Octopus) >>Leila's 'Feeling' EP

quoted 1 line Finally, you're starting to sound sensible.

>Finally, you're starting to sound sensible.

Careful, you're getting near flame territory. Disagree with what I've got to say, by all means, but don't make out that I've been nonsensical. At the end of the day, it's all subjective.

quoted 1 line New Plaid album out on Warp early in the new year.

>>New Plaid album out on Warp early in the new year.

quoted 1 line Let's hope they snap out of it & deliver this time.

>Let's hope they snap out of it & deliver this time.

Well, at the very least it'll keep us occupied until BOC's next album. /\/)ark http://www.sonance.demon.co.uk/

Umm...excuse me....what are the two extra tracks on the US release? Stuff from Undoneson? jeff Tristan Watkins wrote:

quoted 36 lines Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 11:20:34 -0600 (CST)

> Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 11:20:34 -0600 (CST) > From: <daniel@eliteware.com> > Subject: Re: (idm) Plaid - "Not For Threes" > > On Sat, 31 Oct 1998, Mark Stevens wrote: > > > On Fri, 30 Oct 1998 20:56:20 -0500, you wrote: > > > > > `Could anyone supply me with a review of the new Plaid album? > > > > I have to disagree with both of the other two reviews. I think "Not For > Threes" is the best release yet for what was "The Black Dog". While I have > been a long time fan, I like both "Music For Adverts and Short Films" and > "Not For Threes" better than any of the earlier full lenghts. They both > seem a lot more coherent to me. > I never liked all of the tracks on previous releases, but I listen to both > of the newer fulls straight through with a smile from ear to ear. > > I don't feel any "inhumanity" whatsoever. It seems the warmest of their > releases (especially the second half). I've heard people describe Autechre > as inhuman and cold, which I can see although I disagree. I just don't see > how that description fits this album at all. "Not for Threes" is warm, > fluid, dynamic and mostly just beautiful. > I thought "Not For Threes" was the best release of '97. > > I don't usually flame like this. I just really like the album a lot. If you > can get it domestic with 2 extra tracks, go for it. > > All this said, I haven't heard anything following this album, so I guess > that stuff could be even better... > > Tristan > ===================================================== > PHONOPSIA<tristan@iowacity.net> > www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Lounge/5102

-- dancing/about/architecture "...with wandering steps and slow..." ICQ904008

At 05:22 PM 11/1/98 -0800, you wrote:

quoted 4 lines Umm...excuse me....what are the two extra tracks

> >Umm...excuse me....what are the two extra tracks >on the US release? Stuff from Undoneson? >

Yes the US version of Not For Threes added both Undoneson and Spudink from the Undoneson ep. So essentially the US version contains the tracks from both the album and ep. -->-Lance--- p.o. box 450715 westlake, ohio 44145 united states

quoted 3 lines On Fri, 30 Oct 1998 20:56:20 -0500, you wrote:

> On Fri, 30 Oct 1998 20:56:20 -0500, you wrote: > > > `Could anyone supply me with a review of the new Plaid album?

let me put it this way, I've played this record sooo fucking much, I'm going to have to purchase another copy this week! that damn with the violin and the gal chanting over disappeared I've dropped the needle on it too many times. It is prolly one of the most beautiful songs ever produced. I don't think this LP has been out a full year yet and I'm already going back for more! PLAID is the shit while your at it, check out their remix of the latest Sun Electric.... gilly

quoted 5 lines it wasn't the lyrics that bugged me. When they are well crafted and sung

> it wasn't the lyrics that bugged me. When they are well crafted and sung > well I can appreciate them. What bugged me was that the album sounded > like techno by the numbers. No emotion. Perhaps it is there and I just > don't see it. Their remixes however do have it. When you hear what they > have done it makes not for threes pale in comparison.

headspin is nice.