---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 19 Oct 1995 11:48:29
+0100 From: PAUL JARVIS <paul.jarvis@bbsrc.ac.uk> To: Non Receipt
Notification Requested <uk-dance@tqmcomms.co.uk>,
Subject: REVIEW - Autechre "Tri Repetae"
Autechre - "Tri Repetae" (Warp CD38)
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Dael / Clipper / Leterel / Rotar / Stud / Eutow / C.Pach / Gnit / Overand /
Rsdio
Autechre are getting better. And that's not to say that they were ever
anything other than exceptional. But "Tri Repetae," their third full length
release, is far and away their finest moment to date. More substantial than the
serene ambience of "Amber," and executed with a maturity only hinted at on the
debut "Incubala," the "Tri Repetae" sound is a finely crafted, meticulously
polished sculpture hewn from steel.
A lumbering beat and throbbing, low frequency purring set things in motion
before complex metallic rhythms herald the arrival of a haunting and repetitive
riff. Various other sounds and melodies, whispering voices and eerie piano
tinklings are gradually added, layer upon layer, and hold the attention while
the feline purring lurks underneath and forms the life-blood of opening track
"Dael." Electronic crackles sizzle before "Clipper" opens with a prominent,
rigid and simplistic beat. The soft tones of an ageing wind-organ draw in slowly
bringing with them an air of melancholia which captivates the listener. Suddenly
a raw and imposing melody ruptures out of the mix (the sound is electronic but
has a strangely brassy timbre, perhaps like a trombone) and instantly grabs the
attention. These imposing sounds veer in and out erratically throughout while
staccato half-melodies are etched over the top. "Leterel" features a slightly
disjointed, laid back rhythm, a second appearance for the old organ and a
"Ventolin"-style high-pitched squeal. Autechre, unlike Aphex Twin, use the
screech with ample care though, and its presence only adds to the track. As the
piece matures, glorious, orchestrated strings put the flesh on the bones and
overlay the rhythm beneath to breathtaking effect.
There are no weak tracks on this album, none whatsoever, but one single
track stands head-and-shoulders above the rest - and that's no mean feat when
one considers that "the rest" includes such priceless gems as "Clipper." The
track I'm referring to is "Eutow" and is without a doubt one of the finest
pieces of music I've heard this year. The piece opens as full-bodied, synthetic
strings sweep in and out to glorious effect. These increase in volume, multiply
and diversify as the drama unfolds. As the tension builds, to an almost
impossible crescendo, and the speakers rupture under the weight of the
thundering strings, "Eutow" takes a step beyond even your wildest dreams as a
blistering techno beat surges inexorably through the melee. And then, almost as
quickly as it began, its over. The remaining four tracks on the album are
excellent, comprising both ambient and more upbeat affairs, but none reaches the
heights attained by "Eutow." I could write many a praising word regarding these
four pieces but it seems fitting to end at this point.
Warp Records have released yet another of the year's outstanding records.
This is intelligent dance music at its very best. "Tri Repetae" will be regarded
as a classic by future generations. Don't miss it, whatever you do.
Released November 6, 1995.
Autechre 1995 UK Tour Dates
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OCTOBER
26th - Manchester, Granada Studios
27th - Kidderminster, The Market Tavern
29th - Nottingham, Sam Fayes
NOVEMBER
2nd - Newcastle, The Riverside
3rd - Aberdeen, The Pelican
4th - Glasgow, The Arena
5th - Edinburgh, Art College
7th - Hull, The Room
8th - Stoke, The Wheatsheaf
9th - Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach "Juice Joint"
11th - London (TBC)
12th - Cambridge, The Boat Race "Sprawl"
13th - Ipswich, The Lion's Den "The Golden Lion"
14th - Ramsgate (TBC)
15th - Southampton, Joiners Arms
16th - Brighton (TBC)
17th - Harlow, The Square
18th - London, The Falcon (TBC)
19th - Manchester, The Roadhouse "Versivo"
Plus 4 dates in Ireland to be announced.
(Judging from the price of the Cambridge gig (only 4 quid!), tickets are very
cheap indeed. See you there!)
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s e n d c d s f o r r e v i e w t o :
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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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