Got a package from Nothing today with CD-R advances...
Here's a rundown after one listen each....
Plaid - Rest Proof Clockwork (Warp/Nothing)
Wonderful record.... has those lush, melodical goosebump moments that I
always associate with the BD/Plaid camp... not as many as I'd like
though, but here's the kicker - Plaid have turned b-boys, with record
scratching added to the mix of lush warm synths and delicate drumming...
right now, "Gel Lab" is my favorite track... starts off very slowly and
simply, escalating layer by layer into a gorgeous jungle track....
Autechre - EP7 (Warp/Nothing)
After some disturbing discussion on this list regarding this disc, my
first impression was to dismiss the disc using Sickboy's world theory -
"First you've got it, then you don't got it." But, there are a few
tracks on the disc that bring back warm memories of Tri Repetae-style
abrasiveness on shimmering synth and dark melody.... I think the tracks
were "Dropp" and "Zeiss Contarex" that stood out the most... as a whole,
EP7 is not Autechre's best (which kills the Autechre rule - their albums
are flawed, their singles are manna from heaven)... but there's some
real strength on some of the tracks that proves Autechre aren't down and
out yet.
Squarepusher - Maximum Priest EP (Warp/Nothing)
Three new tracks, three remixes. One 29 second boring bit. "Song:
Underwater Torch" is a wicked bit of downtempo live jamming... and the
Autechre remix of "Two Bass Hit" is fucking excellent... but the rest of
the disc is a bit on the naff side (especially Wagon Christ's remix of
Shin Triad which is really disappointing).... worth picking up for half
of the tracks... but most EP's are 3-4 tracks anyway, right?
Aaron