Hello.
artist :: plaid
title :: rest proof clockwork
label :: warp
cat :: warpcd63
tracks :: shackbu
ralome
little people
3recurring
buddy
dead sea
gel lab
tearisci
dang spot
pino pomo
last remembered thing
lambs eye
new bass hippo
churn maiden
air locked
untitled (hidden)
Well, overall this gets my vote as the most luscious, melodic slice of
IDM we've had in 1999. This album carries on where 'Not for Threes'
left off, but it manages to dispense with some of that albums slightly
weaker moments and bring back that sense of simplistic, bouncy fun
that made their Black Dog albums so enjoyable.
[shackbu]
Great introduction to the album, starting off in Scoobs territory
before descending into a workout of lush synth textures that pile on
top of one another. Then these are quickly whisked away by a minute or
so of frantic scratching and hip-hop beats. Roll out your mats and get
breaking!
[ralome]
A complete contrast to the previous track. Gorgeous, reverb-drenched
acoustic guitars pluck out a gentle melody, occasionally pitch-bended
to match the bubbly bass line. The guitar riffs (courtesy of Benet)
are subtly layered to create the sort of ambience Mike Oldfield would
kill for.
[little people]
Gritty, edgy hip-hop antics. A window-rattling sine wave dominates
most of the track, with clattering rhythms and all sorts of squiggly
shit going down in the background. Mara Carlye (last heard on
'Rakimou') provides some very subtle vocal samples.
[3recurring]
One of your Black Dog style phils & bolts. A minute's worth of
warbling bass and Orb style ambience.
[buddy]
Very Fehlmann/Sun Electric-ish. Essentially ambient dub that meanders
along at a snail's pace until you notice these melancholic strings
being layered in the background. A few skanky sounds make a brief
appearance, then a low-key riff of brass sounds comes along and
changes the perspective of the track in a way that only the Boards of
Canada usually get away with. Perhaps slightly too long.
[dead sea]
Underwater chimes play around for a little bit, making way for a very
sombre, string-based track. Very classical sounding -- and almost a
sequel to 'Rakimou', only without the vocals or percussion. Some vocal
elements are stirred into the mix, allowing the track to build up into
a thick swell that quickly subsides.
[gel lab]
A return to more traditional Black Dog-style noodling. This reminds me
of something off 'Bytes' -- the way the track appears to completely
change direction every minute or so, albeit with a simple common motif
remaining constant throughout. Gorgeous melodies. One of the
highlights of the album.
[tearisci]
Another phil/bolt affair. Weird combination of glockenspiels and
plucked electronics.
[dang spot]
Probably my favourite track on the album. Like 'Gel Lab', it's got a
nostalgic Black Dog 'Bytes' feel to it, although with a very bouncy,
light feel to it that just leaves you with a grin on your face.
[pino pomo]
Reminds me of a track off the new Basement Jaxx album, with its latino
grooves and riffs. If there were a World Cup being held in Spain or
Brazil this year, odds on the BBC would use this as their backing
track for highlights. Either that, or El Mariachi is about to wander
along soon and blast seven shades of shit out of everyone.
[last remembered thing]
A high speed, bubbly acid house workout that shifts and slides into
different forms for its duration. I think they may have played this
one as the finale for their Orbital support.
[lambs eye]
Twinkly, plodding phil/bolt stuff.
[new bass hippo]
Sounds like something off 808 State's 'Gorgeous', with a wandering
bass line, piano riffs and shuffling groove. Lots of weird vocal
samples being manipulated to buggery too.
[churn maiden]
Another phil/bolt moment. This time, a bit more thumping and rhythmic.
Again, more 'Bytes' nostalgia.
[air locked]
A bit similar to Aphex Twin's 'Nannou'. A host of little wind-up music
boxes doing their twinkly thang, whilst an Arabic flute plays a
melancholic accompaniment.
[untitled]
Fast-forward past the end of 'Air Locked' and you arrive a nice little
gem. Double bass groove and glockenspiel riff provide a nice acoustic
backdrop, whilst some atmospheric synth tones and a gorgeous Alison
Goldfrapp vocal performance sit on top. Overall, it sounds a little
bit similar to Kirsty Hawkshaw's 'Orange' (well worth buying her 'Out'
album for, incidentally). A nice little outro to one of the best IDM
releases of the year.
--
Mark Stevens
http://www.sonance.demon.co.uk/