Autechre, _Untitled_ (_LP5_), WARP CD66
--
A Developed Analysis of Ae's Conceptual Development from _Chiastic Slide_
to _Untitled_ >>
_Chiastic Slide_ is the first electronic release to seriously consider the
implications of the collaborative artwork. Booth/Brown are represented
(quite properly) by tDR'ed package design as two channels of bits of
information, which exist in an orbit of attraction and bifurcation. At the
point of perfect overlap, at the aural chiasma, the Listener is witness to
Autechre as a single unit.
When Ae is "as one", Booth and Brown have "got a groove on"; each are on
the same level of communication with one another as creative elements. The
end result is the "boogie", "dance", or "slide" -- the "chiastic slide" --
the album which the Listener has the privilege of hearing. The tracks
themselves serve only to reflect individual events of cooperation and
conflict between the two constituent artists.
Autechre's tracks invoke varied and intense imagery. While this imagery is
a largely subjective interpretation by the Listener, arguably, several
valid, consistent themes are invoked.
Of particular relevance in reviewing _Untitled_ is the theme of the cycle
of birth, life, and death of a machine, and the enveloping framework for
that cycle. Different tracks may explore the emotional or rational elements
of one circuit of birth and death, or may explore the tragic and joyful
elements of the system wherein this cycle repeats.
Still, the focus remains on the interrelationship -- the "slide" -- of the
machine and the orbit in which it participates.
Booth and Brown move from the "self-centered" -- while humble -- imagery of
the selves wrapped in the artistic process of _Chiastic Slide_. The
perspective shifts to view the interconnected system of machines which
birth, live, play, cry, and die -- of which they themselves are a part --
and the ambience of that system: the environment in which the "slide" of
life and death occurs.
The _Untitled_ compact disc packaging offers some clue as to the direction
to be taken with these concepts. The Futura typeface used on the case and
on the liner card was developed early in this century with rational intent:
a sans serif with equal weight throughout the body and stem of the letter.
It is used here with minimal kerning; the liner card consists of black,
right-justified text on a white background.
Black and white. Rational typeface. Almost no space between characters. The
packaging is an entirely minimal expression, as is the disc itself: a
white-ringed circle.
Natural systems evolve towards minimal, locally efficient structures
against a backdrop of chaotic noise. Autechre's music is an aural
impression of this idea.
Let's examine the tracks on an individual basis:
acroyear2 (1:8"39')
The Animal is born into the world via a short bleeping session, which
develops quickly into the manic frenzy of survival. Always on edge --
escaping death from starvation, predators, until senescence reclaims the
animal into the noise of the abyss that reshuffles the protagonist back
into the system.
777 (2:5"49')
Monochromatic, driving beats; reminiscent of Namlook's "Atmospheric Atoms"
in its single-minded intensity. A chord travels in and out of the system
six times throughout the track, changing the beat structure each time in a
slight but noticeable way, removing and replacing elements. Via an echo
device, the beat system collapses under its own weight.
rae (3:7"13')
Rolling bass drum triplets in conjunction with sad chords give the track an
indirect "Super Mario Bros." feel. The concept of extra lives in a video
game suggests the supra-individual perspective of the Player, and the
timing slows by half to provide a closer examination of each distinct
"life" in the "game".
melve (4:1"14')
Silly, childish ramblings. An unfortunate piss-take if there was one.
vose in (5:5"21')
Quick drop into noise and harsh light and darkness. Broken machines living
in an orbit of quiet desperation, striving towards something better.
Collapse to slow ambient examination of the system...
fold4, wrap5 (6:4"3')
...which transitions into a decaying and regenerative arrangement of
sublime and melancholy notes. The "slide" collapses and a new dance emerges
from the ashes. Intense and beautiful example of _Amber_'s "teartear"
turned emotionally 180 degrees and perpetually stood end-on-end.
under BOAC (7:6"17')
Static forms the background to a funky, jazzy freeform demonstration of
what tub-thumping really is about. Losing one's identity into the intense,
concentrated rhythm, the Listener becomes a part of the cycle. Exhilarating
track unlike any other Ae event you've heard before.
corc (8:5"50')
Driving along the Elan Valley of Wales, with the patter of rain on the
windshield, you traverse the tight road nested between mountain ridges --
only narrowly missing hitting sheep to your left and right. Sheer,
awe-inspiring beauty in harsh conditions -- life thrives here in spite of
the bitter weather. Driving beats overlapped by majestic and despondent notes.
caliper remote (9:1"40')
A robot arm lying in a dark factory suddenly awakens and feels out its
surroundings with innocent curiosity before the plug is pulled by an
ignorant security guard.
arch carrier (10:6"49')
Dark, gothic spires rise from the earth, meeting and interlacing, forming
cathedrals of black stone. Generations pass. More buildings arise, pathways
interconnect buildings. People are shuffled into buildings and from
structure to structure as if the edifices are feeding and sharing their own
unique and curious form of nourishment. Camera zooms out to examine a
sphere entirely covered by a framework of glass and metal.
drane2 (11:23"19')
Noise fades out, dominated by a trumpet of varying amplitude. Suggestions
of Hong Kong as a harpsichord and trumpet twang each out of phase in a
sin(x^2) pattern (the "bouncing ball" effect). Static reverberates in and
out. A mute courier from the past, playing a banjo, echoes in on the
upbeat. East information collides with West information in a dramatic
conclusion.
--
The conceptual evolution of Autechre from examining the artists' internal
relationship to the minimally-expressed systems and machines around
Booth/Brown and their affiliation with this framework: this is the
territory charted by _Untitled_.
Alex Reynolds
July 30, 1998