Date: Sun, 6 Aug 1995 14:36:06 +0100
From: PAUL JARVIS <paul.jarvis@bbsrc.ac.uk>
Subject: Reviews-DonkeyRhubarb/Ultradyne
Aphex Twin - "Donkey Rhubarb" (Warp WAP 63CD)
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Donkey Rhubarb / Vaz Deferenz / Icct Hedral (Philip Glass Orchestration) /
Pancake Lizard
Blow me down if this isn't the best thing he's done so far! "Donkey
Rhubarb" may be a predictably odd name but its the sweetest tune I've heard
in a long time. Wotta beauty! And what a way to follow the unlistenable
crap that was "Ventolin"... with a pop record! This should be a hit! I mean
a proper hit... as in Top of the Pops, Radio One and all that. My mum would
tap her toes and hum along to this! It s just so poppy, dancey, catchy....
gorgeous!
So what does it sound like? Well, first of all, the rhythm won't come
as a surprise to anyone. It's fairly typical (damn good) Aphex fodder
comprising a distorto/resounding bass drum, all manner of other
screechy/squelchy samples and a manic high hat. The surprise comes in
another form - steel drums! Or samples thereof. These little beauties in
fact form the back bone of the entire track. From the first few bars to the
dying moments they etch out an infectious, persistent, irresistible groove
which well nigh does your head in. But it works so beautifully and there's
no way you can listen without tapping your toes, bobbing your head, or for
that matter giving in entirely and dancing around your bedroom. And it's at
this stage that the tune kicks in! It's a tinkley little affair but, by
Jove, it hits the spot and sends old "Donkey Rhubarb" careering off down
the field at a rate of knots! Phew, wotta beauty!
Oh, I guess I should just mention the other tracks. The horribly titled
"Vaz Deferenz" pales into insignificance alongside the radiance of "Donkey"
and there's little else to be said apart from repetitive, distorted and
tuneless. The Philip Glass Orchestration is nice but I'm not sure if the
track actually benefits that much from having all those extra people
involved. In fact, I think I actually prefer the original with its
abrasive, percussive undercurrent (absent in the new version). Having said
that, the brass section makes its presence known quite dramatically at
times and the addition of a (presumably real) choir is a nice touch.
Finally, "Pancake Lizard" is a laid back, melodic affair which is actually
very good. It's kind of orchestrated with a beat and I'm sure it s going to
grow on me a lot.
So there you have it. "Donkey Rhubarb" is a blinder. Don't you dare
miss it.
Released 14 August, 1995.
Ultradyne - "E. coli" (Warp WAP 66CD)
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E. coli / Dislexia / Salem's Lot / Crimson Dynamo
This is presumably the next in Warp's series of electro e.p.s,
following on from Drexciya "The Journey Home" and Elecktroids "Kilohertz."
I've got no artwork with my copy but I bet this one bears a plain white
sleeve with a small photograph of something or other (not an octopus or a
tunnel) on the left hand side when it comes out. "E. coli"... hmmm,
interesting title. There's a band in Norwich at the moment called
Bluescript. I hope this isn't the start of a new trend. What will it be
next? "Have you got any Taq?" by Gilson Gertrude and the Yellow Tips?
What about the music? Well, think Drexciya and Elecktroids, perhaps
somewhere equidistant between the two, and you won't be far wrong. The
cheesy naffness of "Kilohertz" is present in parts, but it's combined, on
some tracks more than others, with a harder techno edge. "E. coli" is a
fairly poppy, light hearted affair and is really quite pleasant in an
inane, bleepy sort of way. Look out for the weird vocals though as about
half way through a (tone deaf) male voice warbles "I will find you in my
mind, you will see" and nothing more. Totally bizarre. Track two features a
blistering techno beat and represents an invasion into Drexciya territory,
as suggested by the title "Dislexia." "Salem's Lot" is a dark, repetitive
groove which has a slightly sinister feel to it while "Crimson Dynamo," a
percussive affair with spooky melodies, perpetuates the nightmarish feel.
Basically, it's another solid electro e.p. and if you liked the last
one, this one will be right up your street.
Released 7 August, 1995.
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|||| |||| |||. ____ ///// Paul Jarvis,
\\\\\ ///// John Innes Centre,
\\\\\ ///// Norwich Research Park,
jarvisr@bbsrc.ac.uk \\\\\// Colney, Norwich NR4 7UH,
England, United Kingdom.
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