Anklebiter’s skills in creating good electronic music certainly seem to assist him in choosing fitting mixes for this collection, resulting in a record that feels almost organic in its continuity and flow, rather than a disjointed tracklist, a problem plaguing more than a few such collaborations.
Category: Reviews
Mana Erg – Idiosyncratic
While neither harsh nor particularly danceable, the album remains intriguing precisely because of its queer and, well, idiosyncratic nature, which clearly separates it from your average glitchy electronics. Definitely not as appealing to the mainstream a record as “The Blind Watchmaker”, it still works on its own merit as a more experimental expression of Bruno de Angelis’ work.
Assorted Performers – Drinking the Goat’s Blood + Electric Carpets
One compilation mainly focused on sound research and experimental music, with the second one offering more electronica-based (in the broadest sense of the term), danceable material. Truly a must have for anyone who is always searching for new music which veers away from the beaten track.
Synapscape – Traits
Following hot on the heels of 2009’s “Again”, “Traits” will not let any fans down at all, showcasing perfectly the German duo’s inimitable blend of complex rhythms and tense atmospheres. In addition to that fine contrast of distorted beats and clean synths we’ve come to know and love, there are of course a few new surprises to be enjoyed here.
Lingouf – Doème
While not completely departing from its hardcore techno roots, “Doème” nevertheless spins an elaborate web of broken IDM beats, splintered jazz and classical influences. It is a convoluted and challenging release that will keep its audience guessing.
incite/ – Dare to Dance
The album definitely has a particular character, sounding different from contemporary acts, and repeated listening increases appreciation. There are certainly plenty of things happening, showing definite programming skills, but the stop-start and constant changing can be infuriating.
The PCP Principle – Rhythmus Ex Heretica
There are two main elements to this recording – crunchy noise beats and symphonic melodies – and no matter how you slice it, they simply don’t fit together that easily. Each aspect is done well on its on, but the jarring juxtaposition is too radical to be particularly likable. If you’ve always wanted to hear Final Fantasy sped up and set to fast-paced rhythmic noise, your opportunity has come at last.
Caithness – Apostasy and the Sorrowful Child
“Apostasy and the Sorrowful Child” is a melodic, modern classical-influenced slab of dark ambient. I find that the melodic elements are both this album’s strength and weakness. They work to build up a strong atmosphere and give this a specialized flavor, yet at the same time they have a tendency to fall into the tacky and/or bombastic category.
Wolfskin / Last Industrial Estate – Stonegates of Silence
While these tracks are composed predominately of heavy, flowing drones and dense, crushing atmospheres, this is certainly not your run-of-the-mill one-drone-for-ten-minutes type of album.
Mathias Delplanque – Passeports
Mathias Delplanque, an artist synonymous with sound installations and immersive compositions, delves on “Passeports” into the phenomenon of the ‘non-place’ – ubiquitous urban spaces formed in relation to certain ends (transport, transit, commerce, leisure). Instead of the identifiable field recordings we expect, Delplanque presents a series of polished ambient/experimental compositions.