after giving this CD a decent listen (about 25-30 times...) i thought i
would expand on my somewhat abrupt and nondescript review...
Autechre - EP7
1.) R Peg
2.) CCEC
3.) Squeller
4.) Left Bank
5.) Outpt
6.) Dropp
7.) Liccflii
8.) Maphive 6.1
9.) Zeiss Contarex
10.) Netlon Sentinel
11.) Pir
this CD has grown on me, and i like it a great deal more than my initial
listen. i don't think this is autechre's best work to date, but i like
it much better than LP5. i would say if you didn't like LP5, there's a
good chance EP7 might fill that 'void.' (i think i'm one of the few
people who agree on this...) oh yeah, there's a lot more bass present
in these tracks. i checked my EQ to make sure i didn't have the bass
turned up unknowingly, but everything's 'flat.' (graphic EQ wise...)
all tracks have some massive processing via super secret software.
(that DSP thing i was talking about... just a way of 'manipulating' a
sound source / signal...)
R Peg- very tweaky synth which carries this track for the most part.
(the synth kinda reminds me of 'cage' by skinny puppy...) the
percussions aren't as mechanically 'complicated' and give the song a
much 'looser' feel than the hyper-distorto tracks of Ae's past. the
song is a bit repetitive, but the quirky synth squelches make for
pleasant listening.
CCEC- super duper bass drops on this track. very cool use of a chopped
up vocal snippet which seems to studder and spit at random. subtle
melody in the backround sounding like it's played in some minor key.
(i.e. dark / melancholic...)
Squeller- eh. reminds me of the tracks on EP5. lots of clinks and
clanks. not too sure where this song is going. if you like the 'cold'
mechanized tunes of LP5, you'll like this one.
Left Bank- er. again, this one has that clinky clanky feel. neat
backround noise though. enough variation in the backround to keep this
one going. kinda reminds me of a mix between amber and LP5. the nifty
staccato synth patterns bring some liveliness to the mix as well. the
song eventually 'dies' down to some belches and squelches mingling
around a low resolution synthy thing. (kinda minimal in its ending..)
Outpt- static filled 'swing' electronics?? a very upbeat tune
surrounded by synthy swirls. it kinda drags for a bit, but the swirly
synths (resonant gurgles..) are cool nonetheless.
Dropp- this kicks ass. starts off very subtle with a simple little tune
and then bang. heavy bass kick that just....ummm kicks ass. (yeah, i
already stated this.) boom boom, boom boom boom. lots of time
stretched ambient 'sounds' pushing and pulling everywhere. the song's
just a bit longer than three minutes, so you get a pretty heavy dose in
a short period of time. wicked.
Liccflii- urm. not quite to my liking. again, a lot of the 'metallic'
crunching ala LP5. sounds like bullets in a popcorn machine with more
of those dark droning melodies.
Maphive 6.1- the song is based around a sample of orchestral timpani
drums and twangy plucked sounds with some chime-like chirps. the drums
eventually break away into a more syncopated choppy feel. (not unlike
the snare and hi hat rushes used in aphex twin's boy/girl...) slight
jazz influence by means of an upright bass sounding gizmo synth. cool
ending with everything playing in esrever.
Zeiss Contarex- very weird ring modulated vocal spurts (beginning of
song...) with a downtempo electrogalactic theme. some sputnik beeps
mixed with sample 'scratching' and a catchy little tune hidden beneath
the static. drone central calling mars while dialing in on your
shortwave radio. interference... more vocal samples give a 'haunting'
narrative to this one.
Netion Sentinel- here we go with the bass again. very nice. what a
breakbeat would sound like if it were pulled apart and put through a
'zipper' filter. (bbboom hhhit bbboom hhhit...) a mixed collage of
pops, peeps, squeaks, and chord movements. a bit chaotic, but it
doesn't loose it's cohesiveness. high frequency hysteria...
Pir- happy music time. trademark Ae rhythm programming, but not quite
as spastic. junkyard drums and lullaby synths. tinker toys meet the
erector set in a little ballad of electronic goo. maybe a bit of BoC
with blendered-up drum slops?
yes, this is a very different review than my original post. today's
electronic music day and i finally received my notice of acceptance into
my university of choice (my fourth college...der.), so i'm a happy
camper.
btw, who's gonna be at the 'opening' of modulations in baltimore?
perhaps a chance to meet 'fellow' idm geeks and local goofballs.
chirp,
christian
--
" Make More Juice! "
ICQ# 15688864