Reviews & recommendations

Another vote for this one

As stated, very much a "concept album". Lots of odds and ends al seeminglystuck in a blender and then stuck togeather with a bucket of beats! That boy needs therapy indeed!

amazon link (with reviews and few samples) here!

Cheers MO

 

Arab Strap. The below “review†is based on my general impressions from

The week never starts around here:



Philophobia:



The red thread:



“Packs of threeâ€Â

“It was the biggest cock you'd ever seen.
But you've no idea where that cock has been.
You said you were careful
You never were with me
I heard you did it four times,
But jonnies, come in, packs o' three!

She was the, best shag I ever had.
That doesn't mean I'm sayin bed wise you were bad.
I think you were working,
We got a hotel
We didn't have anything
But I thought I might as well.

I never told you the rest,
I was drunk an I told I was thinking, about, her tits.
You know I just said it for effect,
Then you laughed an said I'd **** anything in a skirt once I'm erect.

An she's a faMOus harlot in this town.
I know enough to, but I still couldn't, turn her down.
He said I'm an arsehole,
What was I thinking?
It's far too late to blame it, on the drinkin.â€Â

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I could have picked any of their songs and quoted the lyrics to give an impression where this rather unique Scottish band are coming from.

You often hear how so and so has a new album out and the lyrics are oh so personal! Nah, this is personal. Aidan MOfet gives the impression that he's just, semi-tunefully, mumbling over the top of an acoustic guitar and drum machine. There's a few strings and keys along the way. But it's all quite low key. Yet still it manages to be atMOspheric in a way few other albums are.

Having just been looking on amazon to get links to images for this post I've just read this review of:

“The week never starts around hereâ€Â

Indeed! That's the same way I first heard of them, and as stated felt the same after first hearing “the first big weekendâ€Â, which is still a personal favourite! However, though the 3 tracks he mentions there are excellent, the others aren't that bad :S
I won't write individually about each of the albums and ep's in familiar with. They're all pretty similar. MOstly low key. The music side of things does, improve with some impressive guitar work. But it's the “stories†that you'll either love or hate. As stated, very personal as he talks openly in ways, which can be, cringe worthy a lot of the time. There's something that everyone should be able to relate to here. MOstly it's about his relationships.
Try a few tunes and you'll get the impression better than I can possibly describe. The red Thread is possibly the weakest of the three albums I own.

As for things that “you may also like…†Well, I guess music wise MOgwai whom they share a label with and have worked together. But the lyrics are open and personal in a way that is unique, to my knowledge at least.

“Afterwards is best, you get up to get dressed, I think your pants are by the door, well I think we might be sore"

 

Aphex Twin: "drukqs"



A double album with some 30 tracks lasting just over 100 min's
See THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE and also AMAZON REVIEWS

Those familiar with the genius that is Aphex Twin (Richard D James) will perhaps know what to expect. But even then, this isn't an easy album to "get". None of the big hooks of his better-known tracks like "come to daddy" and "window licker".

How to describe his style? If you were to walk into a room mid way through someone listening to it, it would MOre than likely sound like random madness! Sonic insanity! If you think of electronic music and automatically cringe at the thought of repetative and predictable 4/4 structured bars then think again! This is "computer" music come alive and got a soul! And it's decided to take a spin on all them eMOtions that apparently, machines don't/can't do!

The classic aphex sound is loud hard and scary. He seems to gobble up drum'n'bass, techno, ambient, industrial sounds and swirl them around in his mind (a very scary place), and regurgitate it, having been acid tinged and formed into a different beast altogether! Drill 'n' Bass?

MOre specifically to the "drukqs" album.....

Some will think it's a poor choice as an introduction to aphex. It's a hard listen. But, I feel if you give it a chance and do "get" it then it's the MOst rewarding!

The album has a few running themes and has two main styles.
The "your granny wont approve" camp! This is how electronic music can be! Amazing samples ties together and positioned perfectly over beats that can make your jaw drop! There is indeed a method to this madness! It can border on insane and leave you wondering how he manages to keep it together. Listen to it properly though and you can appreciate the true beauty of what he is capable of! Giving a soulless machine a soul is a remarkable achievement!
It's quite strange and contradicting that even the truly manic tracks will need you to sit in silence and listen to truly appreciate!
Everyone who comes over here and asks for this album to put on will tend to say “track 2 cd 1â€Â. One of my personal fav's too! Everyone tends to just sit in silence and be amazed by his genius! There's a few of the harder tracks that standout and are MOre meMOrable. Like track 8 cd1 with the, everyone sing along now, sample (excuse my language) “C'MOn you **** let's have some aphex acid†Tracks 1,5, and 13 on cd2 are very aphex style too. Showing why he and squarepusher are often mentioned in the same sentence.

However, in between the "mad" tunes, comes the "your granny would approve" ones. Simple and beautiful, piano pieces. Quite minimalist and MOre than a little good!

It's the album as whole that shows it at it's best. The way it goes from full on, to full on beautiful!

Another quite unique tune is track 11 cd1. Now, this is going to scare your granny! 7 min's and very claustrophobic! A great example of stereo panning. There's a woman making noises as if she's being tortured or something. Turn the lights out, turn the volume up and close your eyes. This is an excellent test of how good your stereo image is. Do sounds carry right across or is there a gap? This was the tune that made me first realise how much difference speaker placement can make! It's sort of Disney's fantasia's darker evil aural twin! Creaks and scuttling noises makes it all very unsettling if you allow yourself to really sink into it!


I'm going on a bit here and feel I'm not really explaining myself too well. This is a truly great album though! “Masterpiece†is the word I think? I've gone on about the likes of aphex and squarepusher quite a bit in the past. Debating with the classical fans out there how IMO these are the MOdern day composers! I often listen to their stuff and just wonder if they're aware of how amazing it can sound!

As I've said, not the easiest album to get into. But if you do, WOW! Doesn't get MOre rewarding than that! One of the greatest ever!

 

Nice writeup MO. I'm with you on the Aphex Twin, one of the few contemporary electronic musicians who does genuinely new things.

I remember an interview with Stockhausen in the Wire a few years ago. They played him some modern electronica without telling him what it was, and asked for his comments. One of the tracks was Aphex Twin's "Come on You Slags". IIRC he thought it must be by a young English composer, and rated it pretty highly (by his standards, anyway, he's a curmudgeonly old bugger). High praise indeed. I wonder if he thought the same when they told him what it was called?

-- Ian

 

thirded on aphex twin. The boy has talent and has done interesting things.
Sideshow and MOi giving the thumbs up has to be the kiss of death :elephant:

 

Air

Sticking this in the cd player having previously had aphex twins “drukqs†is quite a change! Where as drukqs is a heavily atmospheric 'deep' album, this seems a little on the light and fluffy side of things! Dare I say cheesy pop! :O

This French duo of self proclaimed “electronic performers†are one of the few groups whom I own all their albums. Well, the five that I'm aware of at least. With an easy listening smile inducing and quite beautiful sound it's the perfect stuff to just lay back and chill out too! Just as good to lose yourself in as it is for when you've just got in and a few mates round talking over it.

1998's MOon Safari was their first and IMO still their greatest release. I first heard air, the same way as MOst people probably did, with the release of “sexy boyâ€Â. It wasn't instant love! Couldn't decide if I liked it or not, it was just so damn cheesy! I grew to like the song, then to hate it again as it was constantly played over an over everywhere! A little bit later a mate told me about the album “best album of the year†etc… this was a lad who was into his hard house and techno! Strange I thought! Interesting, but there's other thing's I'd rather spend my hard earned on than that! Then another mate recommended it! This time a lad who was more into 'indie' guitar type bands! Damn! Even my mum was singing it!
So, bought MOon safari and from the first tune I realised what I'd been missing! Yes it's easy listening, and in some parts pretty simple. But it's just so damn easy to like! Melodic, joyful, floaty, synth pop with vacodas on the vocals at the ready!? Not trying to be deep, dark and intelligent, just being what it is! Retro, but in a MOdern way.
I still cringe at “sexy boy†every now and then, but this is pretty much a perfect album with very few weak points and many highs. The two tracks with Beth Hirsch singing “all I need†and “you make it easy†are two personal fav's. I've known two other people as well as myself point out independently how well recorded “all I need†is, and both pick up on little things like the noise of the singers lips opening just before singing sounds stupid? Well it's the little things!

So, MOon safari is definitely the best of their albums and an essential purchase! As for the others:

“Premier symptoms†is a collection of singles recorded before MOon safari. It's not as good but still has a few really good tunes and is worth the purchase. Very much in the chill-out groove with a nice retro feel to it. Stand out track is probably “Le soleil est pres de MOi†(complete with echoy vocals, and for some reason reminds me of Phil Collins's “this must be love†), and The big funky beats of “breaks onâ€Â.

“The virgin suicides†is a soundtrack. Short album, short tracks. Again in the chill-out zone, but quite dark. Whenever I listen to this album I love it and remember how good it is. But it still manages to go unplayed for a while.

Next up was “10'000Hz Legendâ€Â, their second 'proper' album I guess. Some of the tracks are every bit as good as those on MOon safari. And it even has it's own cringe worthy sexy boy equivalent in “radio #1â€Â. Beck makes an appearance and helps provide some of the standout tracks of the album. A lot of people were disappointed with this after MOon safari. Not me! When I first heard it, it did sound quite different but now with quite a few listens it's just another quality Air album! 9 of the 11 tracks have vocals this time too.

Also, there's the remix version of 10'000Hz called “Everybody hertzâ€Â. As with MOst remix albums it's got some sketchy patches, but is still a very worthwhile purchase! The Jack Lahana remix of “people in the city†is worth it alone! There's also a live video of them performing that same song too!

As far as what else you might like if you like this? Well, it's an album that will appeal to a wide variety. As for similar sounding people, I guess there's the obvious Pink Floyd, and Kraftwerk comparisons. MOre recent stuff, Groove armada and also Zero 7 are often mentioned in the same breath but I only own the occasional tune and odd mp3 of theirs so can't really comment.

So, in short, get it! It'll make you (and everyone else who listens) smile!

 

Re: Venus Hum...

Coincidence ! See https://www.audio-forums.com/as-rediect/showthread.php?s=&threadid=132

 

The Streets - Original Pirate Material

The Streets - Original Pirate Material

Odd that I should like this record since it's a mix of garage beats and hip hop, neither of which I like much of What genre it is is hard to say, probably hip hop is closest but the sound of a London "geezer" (Mike Skinner - who is The Streets) talking in asymmetrical rhymes (even cockney rhyming slang) over all manner of minimal garage beats (including some nice use of orchestral samples) is hardly what most people would recognize as hip hop!

If you live in the UK, especially in London, this record will almost certainly have some appeal, if it's only the amazingly honest and clearly spoken lyrics about the slightly rougher edge of life in the big city. The lyrics are also frequently hillarious, even once you've got over the novely of "cockney rap". The way the rhymes fall on odd beats and go together asymmetrically is at once off putting and catchy - you begin wondering how he managed to fit that sentence in!

My favourite tracks are the incredible opener "Turn the Page", set to an incredible backing track of synth orchestral strings doing a bagpipe like "drone" which holds the suspense, a simple string riff over the top and finally the simplest of garage beats. Definite influences of Massive Attack's "Unfinished Sympathy" but with outstanding lyrics that leave you gasping after the first time you hear them. If they'd been written by a poet you'd have everyone from Granta to "The Late Review" hailing the next WH Auden.

Similarly awesome is the closing track on the album "Stay Positive". It opens with a string loop which I'm sure is from the opening to Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto (one of my favourite pieces!). Overlaid with a simple piano loop and another ultra basic hip hop beat it's an infectious track from the start.

With lyrics like:

and

it just blew me away - almost moved me to tears infact . The intelligence and feeling of the zeitgeist that this guy has is impressive. I'm not that good at music reviews but hopefully this will encourage a few more people to check this album out!

Michael.

 

An excellent post, Michael. I've heard a few tracks off this, notably 'Don't mug yourself', which caused me to laugh out loud. But I've been reluctant to find out more, as modern urban music really doesn't shake my spray can. However, you have inspired me. It's on my shopping list.

 

If you lauged on "Don't mug yourself" you'll be on the floor with "The Irony of it all" where he plays two characters, one, Terry, a drunken lager lout who is an "upstanding citizen" and Tim, a normal guy who does dope and is therefore a "criminal" and "scum" in the eyes of Terry. An excellent and hillarious look at the hypocracy of the law outlawing dope, whilst alcohol and all it's problems is legal :MILD:

Michael.

 

Aim

Aim - Means of production - The singles 1995 - 1998

A mix of soul, jazz, old-school trip hop with some R&B thrown in.

If you like Air, Herbalizer, etc ... you'll love Aim IMHO.

Best tracks :-

Soul Dive.

Concentrate.

Original Stuntmaster, this has the Evil Knevil in the background, talking about a jump.

Buy it you won't be disappointed

BTW Channel 4 have commissioned a programme about Aim. Watch it Next Wednesday night (10th July) in the 4/Music slot at 01.15am

 

Amon Tobin “SuperMOdifiedâ€Â

AMAZON LINK AND REVIEWS

OK, so I seem to be saying this quite a bit now but...

WHAT AN ALBUM!!!

After hearing a bit about Amon and a few of his tunes I picked this album up, (from one of Ninja Tunes MOre known artists), for a few quid in second hand shop!

I expected it to be good, but it wasn't! It was far beyond just "good" What we have here is, an album that will in parts sooth your sonic soul, and in others go for an all out attack on it!

It kicks off with “Get your snack on†which is very much of the DJ Shadow funk vibe! I believe this is what they call “phat†bassâ€Â!!! And the drums set the standard, which is upheld throughout the album! The drums are pretty amazing! And as “Four ton mantis†kicks in we're offered up MOre of that funks shit! Try and not MOve your body during this! Knowing the songs title helps to paint an accompanying series of images in your minds eye, something Mr Tobin manages throughout the album! “Slowly†At this MOment has a very “cowboy†:cowboy: sound to it. You can alMOst see them strollin on into Dodge, :lonerange: to the on looking locals Nice and chilled with hints of Groove armada!
A few of the tunes could be film scores, with “marine machine†sounding like it could fit in with perhaps the new Terminator MOvie, or a future Batman release? You can alMOst see the mechanical army tyrant like in their destruction of all before them!

Other tracks have you feeling edgy and unsettled like the Aphex tinged “Marine Machines†which has a claustrophobic unnerving build up! This is heavily in the “your granny wouldn't approve†category! The drums are again spot and free rolling over layers of samples perfectly placed and all driven along by a chest pounding bass line! I suspect there's much MOre going on down in the lower end on this album than my system can produce! And I'd like to hear if WM's system reproduces these drums realistically? Later in the album “Rhino, jockey†offers a similar level of anticipation. Waiting for it to drop. But this time as you sit anticipating it… it's already grown into a full on aural love thang!

The drums are perhaps the stand out “feature†of the album. But the layering and weaving of beats and samples are on another level to what MOst others can manage! “Neo†is a fine example of both.

One of my personal fav's on the album is “Precursorâ€Â. Some particularly squarepusher style jazz/blues bass and samples, all held together with the amazing beat boxing skills of Quadraceptor! I've been looking into beat boxing a bit lately, and how a man can make these noises with his MOuth is beyond me!

This album manages to fuse jazz, blues, eastern, western, chill out, acid techno, drum 'n' bass, and paint a spectacular sonic painting on the canvas of your mind!

The cowboys return ( :cowboy: ) towards the end, having seen them make their way towards Dodge to some funky beats, then stroll in to a Groove Armada theme. They've stopped in town for a party and now it's tome to leave. But now they're all liquored up. And so, to the closing track “Naturelandâ€Â. HAHA! They've now stopped somewhere for their horses to drink. But as they sit under a tree to avoid the beating sun there must be some intoxicating vibes floating about.

Some songs are described as ideal for watching sunsets to. Well this closing track is perfect for watching them rise to!

And so, it ends L You're sad that is has to, but still, you know you've just experienced something a wee bit special!

Check out his WEBSITE . Pretty damn good! With some nice sample loops and videos and some interesting things. Even a bit on there that allows you to sequence some samples and beats

 

Re: Aim

Seconded - and for a tenner on double vinyl in FOPP (impulse buy after "Cold water music") it was a no-brainer - excellent

 

Re: Re: Aim

Dom,

I ordered both the other albums on friday from Amazon after getting Means of production on thursday , Hinterland is really good too, well worth a listen.

Andy.

 

LemonJelly - lemonjelly.ky

LemonJelly - lemonjelly.ky

Can't be a*sed to do a proper review but this is a great chillout/dance album. Easily top pick of my recent Amazon order (which included, LemonJelly "Lost Horizons", Nitin Sawhney "Human", Bonobo "Animal Magic", Blue States "Man Mountain").

I can't believe I hadn't heard of these dudes before they were mentioned on the recent "chillout" thread here

If you like all that trip-hop, chilled beats stuff (like I do) then you'll really love it.

Standout tracks for me:

"A Tune For Jack" - an unbelievably catchy piano lick that will give you that sunny Saturday afternoon in the park/on the beach feeling right away. Also, if it doesn't make you want to dance then you have no soul.

"Page One" - starts off with just a cool beat and a sample of some self-help tape asking you to "imagine 'nothing'". I suppose the tape was supposed to calm you down but here it has the opposite effect as the track builds to it's huge Ibiza anthem style climax - wicked!

Michael.

 

Re: Re: Re: Aim

I ended up getting Hinterland from FOPP (GOD I *hate* that place - they're costing me a fortune - damn "musical pharamaceutical distributors" - this habit's more expensive then Coke!) a couple of weeks back - it's pretty good but I reckon Cold Water Music's a bit easier to get into.

I saw them live in Fabric in February (not heard of them then - I wanted to see Goldie!) and they blew me away - well cool and funky to see live. Got fed up with people in Fabric asking me for beans though - grrr - come prepared people, damnit - do I LOOK like a drug dealer? (I hope not!)

 

Got Aim, "Means of Production" today after really liking "Hinterland". Wow! Both records are awesome! Thanks for the recommendation. Will have to check out "Cold Water Music" now aswell

Michael.

 

GU 25

Fully endorse what is said above about the latest Deep Dish Global Underground compilation..
I've also purchased the two aftershow mixes, one by each half of Deep Dish, and they are as good as the GU25 mix.... Very deep dirty and funky.
Recommended bordering on essential if you are into dance... good production too.

 

Michael,

No problem, Rae & Christian is also well worth a listen, they are on Grand Central Records too.

 

Paul Oakenfold - The Great Wall.

Typical oakey stuff but if you are into shiny trance then this is very good. CD 2 is dirtier but both are above normal compilation rubbish...