IDM TIMES
bit of a different format this time, mainly because i can't be bothered to work
out BPMs/times for all these things. time is of the essence, y'know.
BABBLE: The Stone
Reprise 45387-2
OK, I gotta send the big dis out and start a grand IDM flamewar over this one.
I know some of you like it, but I can't possibly imagine why. Comparisons to
Strange Cargo III are very valid - it's a cheap, crappy, pop, soulless, watered
down SC3. SC3 wasn't exactly smashing barriers of innovation either, but it was
good solid headtrippy fun with memorable melodies and fantastic production.
This sounds like a lame Thompson Twins album run through the William
Orbitfication box. Anybody want to buy my copy for $10?
WEIRD BLINKING LIGHTS: Traditional Synthetic Cuisine
Voltage Control 001
This is the product of a net.guy named Steve Lerner. The title derives from the
method of production: no samplers, no MIDI, just pure synth satisfaction. The
first cut is a *slowly* evolving bunch of synth textures (even Pete Namlook might
find his patience tried), definitely background music. If you work the chill
rooms, this would be excellent for mixing in with other stuff. For ordering
info, write to resonate@netcom.com.
UZECT PLAUSH: More Beautiful Human Life!
Apollo AMB 4932 CD
Uzect Plaush is an anagram for Paul Schutze, the guy who made this record and
also one of my all time favorite "dark ambience" records, "New Maps Of Hell"
(released under his own name on Extreme). This new one continues on in a
lighter vein, as evidenced on his post-Maps stuff. Anyway, nice hypnotic
rhythms, strange organic/synthetic tones, and lovely atmospheric production. A
bit more synthy than his previous outings, maybe done to fit in with Apollo's
worldview? Who knows. Anyway, check it out. Mr Schutze (or Mr Plaush if you
prefer) is a very talented individual who deserves wider recognition.
DOG STAR: Illuminati Fabricati
Lalaland lala003cd
This is a weird one. I don't know what to make of it, really. Sort of a cross
between The Orb, Enigma, Moodswings, Bjork (they sample "Violently Happy" at one
point) and god knows what else. Lots of mellow film-soundtracky bits with deep
basso russian choirs and babies crying. Breakbeats and Cosmic Baby-esque piano
melodies. Noises. Rhythms. Melodies. Sounds. It's neat alright, but it's
gonna take a little getting used to. My only complaint is that there's this
melodic motif repeated in various configurations throughout the piece which is a
little weak, but it's not used enough to become really annoying. One final
note: the CD is one big track with all the songs run together. Don't you hate
it when they do that?
RENEGADE SOUNDWAVE: Howyoudoin?
Mute CDSTUMM 100
I'm fine, how are you? Well, you appear to be a rather lifeless, melodically
bankrupt, rhythmically unadventurous RSW album. Where's the crazed percussion
and deep deep dub bass? Well, there's a bit of it on "Funky Dropout" but
overall the chunky percussive clatter has been replaced by, variously, well-worn
drum loops or bad programming. I just can't figure out what they're trying to
achieve here. The melodies (what few there are) are terrible, and the singing
was never the main attraction for anybody I know... I guess all the talent left
with Paul Kendall. Anybody out there want to take this off my hands for $15?
And the winner is...
FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON: Lifeforms
Astralwerks ASW 6113-2
Holy Jesus Christ with beans on toast. This is The Real Thing. Never mind your
warps, your airfix twins, your detroit nonsense. Better than you can possibly
imagine, FSOL are so far out there that it's frightening. There is so much
detail and innovation packed into every second of this record, I don't even know
where to begin. They even managed to improve on "Cascade" which started off a little
weakly on the single version. FSOL are touting themselves as beyond ambient,
beyond techno, and they are absolutely correct. A word has yet to be invented
to describe this stuff. To put it as simply as possible, this *is* the future
sound of music. Every second a winner, a double CD for the price of one, 92 minutes
of joy, wonderful trippy sleeve art, what more could you ask for?