IDM Mailing Archive

I've been meaning to try out some Bochum Welt for a while, based on discussions on this list. So, I just picked up "Martians and Spaceships", and I really must be missing something.. Either that or I'm misunderstanding this release. Does anyone know anything about this album? Is this representative of other BW releases? I really hope not.. To me this sounds like the first blurry stabs at music from someone in the late 80's who just bought his first synth, not someone with a few records on Rephlex under his belt. Preset synth patches and drum samples abound.. Here is my mini-review: (7 tracks, total length 19:20) 1: I really thought this track was a joke at first listen, with an awful-sounding Italian singer singing an awful pop song. But it goes on for 2:30, never changes the canned drum pattern, even uses that airy pan-flute sample in the background. It's really hard for me to listen to this song. 2: Actually not bad, some OK chords, and the two different string-instrument patches used are not annoying. 3: Sounds like a continuation of the last track, but with a different canned percussion track over it. Now those patches are annoying. 4: 0:57 of "Hm let's see what patch 28 sounds like", noodle noodle noodle 5: Most promising intro yet, OK drum beat, but then the rave triads begin: G major triad, A minor triad, C major triad, repeat ad nauseam for 3:00. A filter is messed around with a tiny bit at the end, but that's about it. 6: "Clair de Lune" by Debussy. This is the only thing I remember from pj's new releases description, I assumed it would be an interesting IDM take on an interesting classical piano piece. But it just sounds exactly like a sloppy performance of the piece (with the beginning and end inexplicably chopped off) on a tinny player piano, complete with missed notes, but not enough to make them sound missed on purpose. No interesting take at all, just the midsection of the piece repeated twice. Please, if you are interested in electronic takes on classical music, check out Isao Tomita's recordings. 7: A pulsing "Vocal Chorus" patch holding C and G, with short jumps up to F and C every few seconds, for 3:08. Now, I can appreciate minimalism, but c'mon.. Overall, I would describe the release as wholly amateurish. I haven't hated an album this much since that Tranquility Bass album I bought based on the strength of his track on Reich Remixed. Please, I must be missing something here. Is this a 'concept album' I can't wrap my head around? Is it a reissue of a hard-to-find early early release? Thanks, Andy --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

quoted 2 lines Please, I must be missing something here. Is this a 'concept album' I

> > Please, I must be missing something here. Is this a 'concept album' I

can't

quoted 1 line wrap my head around? Is it a reissue of a hard-to-find early early

> wrap my head around? Is it a reissue of a hard-to-find early early

release? Nope. The sad truth is that its some of his new material. The first track reminds me of something that you would hear in one of those cheezy show time after hours soft porn flicks with the dubbed in voices. And that piano track sounded like general midi hell to my ears. I've liked some of Bochum's tracks on his other eps but none of them really seem to sound like Gian lets his ideas develop at all. There over before you really have the chance to get bored with them. Rob --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

quoted 1 line Please, I must be missing something here. Is this a 'concept album' I

> Please, I must be missing something here. Is this a 'concept album' I

can't

quoted 1 line wrap my head around? Is it a reissue of a hard-to-find early early

> wrap my head around? Is it a reissue of a hard-to-find early early

release?

quoted 7 lines Nope. The sad truth is that its some of his new material. The first track

>Nope. The sad truth is that its some of his new material. The first track >reminds me of something that you would hear in one of those cheezy >show time after hours soft porn flicks with the dubbed in voices. And >that piano track sounded like general midi hell to my ears. I've liked some >of Bochum's tracks on his other eps but none of them really seem to >sound like Gian lets his ideas develop at all. There over before you >really have the chance to get bored with them.

I hate to say this but the new BW is really good. =) I listen to it on a regular basis. I didn't like it much at first but it really grows on you. I recommend it highly if you have the patience to hang with it. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

i'm also part of the 'i like it' group. i don't think there's anything wrong with simplicity and melody. it's too bad the thing only last 19 minutes... alan! np:the furnace (no, really. it's cold here) On Tue, 7 Dec 1999, . wrote:

quoted 10 lines I hate to say this but the new BW is really good. =) I listen to it on a

> I hate to say this but the new BW is really good. =) I listen to it on a > regular basis. I didn't like it much at first but it really grows on you. I > recommend it highly if you have the patience to hang with it. > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org > For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org > >

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Overall 'Martians and Spaceships' I think is one of the lesser pieces from BW, but what I always liked in his music is the depth and quality of his sounds and chords. Maybe the chords are simple to a musicians ear, but simplicity can sometimes make the greatest tunes come to life. But listen to desktop robotics instead, it's a more 'polished' release and features some great melodies. It's might not be the most complicated music, but I think it's good to divers from the more complicated stuff from the likes of Freeform and Funckharma (my current favorites :) every now and then and listen to something different. I've never heard music quite like what BW makes. And who doesn't whistle the melody from Greenwich all day when you've heard it in the morning? :-) Greetings, Teccie http://www.mp3.com/ceTeR

quoted 37 lines -----Original Message-----

> -----Original Message----- > From: alan r lucas [mailto:alucas@telerama.com] > Sent: woensdag 8 december 1999 5:25 > To: . > Cc: idm@hyperreal.org > Subject: RE: (idm) Bochum Welt "Martians and Spaceships" > > > i'm also part of the 'i like it' group. > i don't think there's anything wrong > with simplicity and melody. it's too > bad the thing only last 19 minutes... > > alan! > > np:the furnace (no, really. it's cold here) > > On Tue, 7 Dec 1999, . wrote: > > > I hate to say this but the new BW is really good. =) I listen to it on a > > regular basis. I didn't like it much at first but it really > grows on you. I > > recommend it highly if you have the patience to hang with it. > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org > > For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org > For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org > >

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Don't forget to mention Program 11, which features the amazing tune Melodie D'Aout and is on of Gianluchi's other higlights imo.

quoted 35 lines -----Original Message-----

> -----Original Message----- > From: Nick Zavriev [mailto:ambi@mu.ru] > Sent: woensdag 8 december 1999 23:53 > To: idm@hyperreal.org > Subject: Re: (idm) Bochum Welt "Martians and Spaceships" > > > > I've been meaning to try out some Bochum Welt for a while, based on > discussions > > on this list. So, I just picked up "Martians and Spaceships", and I > really must > > be missing something.. Either that or I'm misunderstanding > this release. > > > > Does anyone know anything about this album? Is this representative of > other BW > > releases? I really hope not.. > > Fortunatly it is not. I love all Gianluigi's EPs, but this one is a great > disppointment. Okay, I can stand 'general midi-like' drums, but where have > the magic melodies gone? The only track from "M&S" that I really like is > 'star cluster'. 'Interlude' sounds like Gianluigi tried to imitate aphex's > Heliosphan and failed :( If you want to hear what Bochum Welt is really > like, you should check out his releases on Rephlex (Module 2 and > Fellings on > a Screen are the best IMO). > > Nick. > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org > For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org > >

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On Thu, 9 Dec 1999 01:52:41 +0300, "Nick Zavriev" <ambi@mu.ru> said:

quoted 15 lines I've been meaning to try out some Bochum Welt for a while, based on

>> I've been meaning to try out some Bochum Welt for a while, based on >discussions >> on this list. So, I just picked up "Martians and Spaceships", and I >really must >> be missing something.. Either that or I'm misunderstanding this release. >> >> Does anyone know anything about this album? Is this representative of >other BW >> releases? I really hope not.. > >Fortunatly it is not. I love all Gianluigi's EPs, but this one is a great >disppointment. Okay, I can stand 'general midi-like' drums, but where have >the magic melodies gone? The only track from "M&S" that I really like is >'star cluster'. 'Interlude' sounds like Gianluigi tried to imitate aphex's >Heliosphan and failed

uh, maybe that's because RDJ actually did the drum programming and co-produced that track. although pretty difficult to find these days, my recommendation for gian at the top of his game is the transparent yellow kromode EP , if you can find it. melodie d' aout and the utterly beautiful silence du temps (think extra crispy recipe electro beats slathered with speak-and-spell era depeche mode melodies.) he's also got a fair amount of stuff which hasn't ever made it to release that fans of his "older" style stuff would adore. but artistically, he really is moving in a different direction these days. at least he's not in a formula rut, which i'm not sure i can say for some of the other deities we worship on this list. -- Jeff Davis pHlow@earthlink.net fn:216.533.6303 fx:216.266.2310 text:2165336303@mobile.att.net pHlow.linx: home.earthlink.net/~phlow/ Bochum Welt: www.bochumwelt.com Rotator Locator: hyperreal.org/music/rotator/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

I agree. don't give up on bochum welt. some of his stuff is very dry, mechanical and bleepy, and takes a little getting used to (or maybe just isn't so hot), but then every once in awhile there's the "magic melodies". btw, my fave on rephlex is the xtra 12 on the 2x12 of desktop robotics. it's out of print but worth paying for if you find it for $20ish. scharlach eingang (also rephlex) is of special interest because (A) it's got an unusually kickass hardcore acid feel (unlike any other stuff i know of by him) and (B) the kinesthesia (cylob) remix is great. oh, and program 2 (reading this post made me get out my bochum welt records) is great. some beautiful shit on there. actually, tracks per dollar wise, program 2 (on elypsia records) is a good one to start with, and very representative of his style. jon p.s., And talk about ripping off aphex, try to get ahold of "xpherika" (a collaboration with "zenith" on trance communications 1994) and listen to the track "landscape"... I couldn't believe it when i first heard it! belongs on sel ambient works 85 92 i think. Actually, it sounds more like m-ziq doing a particularly aphexlike track... it has percussional sounds that are exactly like m-ziq (i don't know who used them first but i would guess m-ziq since tango n vectif was released in '93)... i can't remember what track the sounds are from, but one of the first 2 albums. it's wierd. __________________________

quoted 1 line I've been meaning to try out some Bochum Welt for a

> I've been meaning to try out some Bochum Welt for a

while, based on discussions

quoted 1 line on this list. So, I just picked up "Martians and

> on this list. So, I just picked up "Martians and

Spaceships", and I really must

quoted 1 line be missing something.. Either that or I'm

> be missing something.. Either that or I'm

misunderstanding this release.

quoted 2 lines Does anyone know anything about this album? Is this

> > Does anyone know anything about this album? Is this

representative of other BW

quoted 1 line releases? I really hope not..

> releases? I really hope not..

Fortunatly it is not. I love all Gianluigi's EPs, but this one is a great disppointment. Okay, I can stand 'general midi-like' drums, but where have the magic melodies gone? The only track from "M&S" that I really like is 'star cluster'. 'Interlude' sounds like Gianluigi tried to imitate aphex's Heliosphan and failed :( If you want to hear what Bochum Welt is really like, you should check out his releases on Rephlex (Module 2 and Fellings on a Screen are the best IMO). Nick. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place. Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

Thanks to all who responded to my rather harsh slam of this album.. Both to the "It's good" crowd, for not being offended and for convincing me to check out other BW albums, and to the "It's weak" gang, for convincing me I am not insane. If anyone is interested in trading for/buying this CD off me in spite of my description, let me know. ;) I agree with those who said there is nothing wrong with simplicity and melody, I guess this particular brand of it didn't tickle my ears.. Andy --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

quoted 1 line although pretty difficult to find these days, my recommendation for gian

> although pretty difficult to find these days, my recommendation for gian

at

quoted 1 line the top of his game is the transparent yellow kromode EP , if you can

> the top of his game is the transparent yellow kromode EP , if you can

find

quoted 1 line it.

> it.

MP3s had been available on the bleepbloop server for some time, so some trainspotters (including me :) had a chance to listen to early Bochum Welt material and I agree, it's great, especially Les Dances d'Ete. By the way, are there any plans of repressing Gianluigi's hard to find material? Skam and MaS repressed some of their rarities, I think it's time for Kromode to follow :) And what happened to Cylob and Bochum Welt's remixes of Gentle People, that were announced on Rephlex a couple of years ago?

quoted 3 lines melodie d' aout and the utterly beautiful silence du temps (think

> melodie d' aout and the utterly beautiful silence du temps (think > extra crispy recipe electro beats slathered with speak-and-spell era > depeche mode melodies.)

Oh, yes! :) I always said that 'speak and spell' has a great influence on some IDM musicians. Tle latest Novel 23's album on Pitchcadet is one more good example of techno romantic sound's revival.

quoted 3 lines he's also got a fair amount of stuff which hasn't ever made it to release

> he's also got a fair amount of stuff which hasn't ever made it to release > that fans of his "older" style stuff would adore. but artistically, he > really is moving in a different direction these days.

I agree, development is a necessary thing, but turned another way too fast, he hasn't released enough material to make people complain that he's copying himself :) Nick. NP: Spacetime Continuum "Sea Biscuit" --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

On Fri, 10 Dec 1999 20:33:36 +0300, "Nick Zavriev" <ambi@mu.ru> said:

quoted 13 lines although pretty difficult to find these days, my recommendation for gian

>> although pretty difficult to find these days, my recommendation for gian >at >> the top of his game is the transparent yellow kromode EP , if you can >find >> it. > >MP3s had been available on the bleepbloop server for some time, so some >trainspotters (including me :) had a chance to listen to early Bochum Welt >material and I agree, it's great, especially Les Dances d'Ete. By the way, >are there any plans of repressing Gianluigi's hard to find material? Skam >and MaS repressed some of their rarities, I think it's time for Kromode to >follow :) >

much of the earlier non-rephlex stuff (except the voder / kromode) has been licensed to warner chapel, so represses aren't out of the questions, but they are probably unlikely.

quoted 2 lines And what happened to Cylob and Bochum Welt's remixes of Gentle People, that

>And what happened to Cylob and Bochum Welt's remixes of Gentle People, that >were announced on Rephlex a couple of years ago?

they were done, they are both awesome, but grant didn't like 'em. so they'rein the vaults with the visillusion remixes of the voder and other mysterious trainspotter projects which never saw the light of day. there are several interesting BW projects coming up (collaborations with people you really wouldn't expect) that should be pretty cool if everything goes off as planned. NP: mixmaster morris: the lie-in king peeeeeeece, -- Jeff Davis pHlow@earthlink.net fn:216.533.6303 fx:216.266.2310 text:2165336303@mobile.att.net pHlow.linx: home.earthlink.net/~phlow/ Bochum Welt: www.bochumwelt.com Rotator Locator: hyperreal.org/music/rotator/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org

quoted 3 lines there are several interesting BW projects coming up (collaborations with

>there are several interesting BW projects coming up (collaborations with >people you really wouldn't expect) that should be pretty cool if everything >goes off as planned.

But you aren't allowed to tell us with who? --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: idm-unsubscribe@hyperreal.org For additional commands, e-mail: idm-help@hyperreal.org