From dis2 Sent Tue, Mar 23rd 1999, 17:38
Just thought I'd try and defend the album a bit after all the almost universally negative reviews it seems to be getting here. Although I didn't think all that much of this album when I first heard it, I've got to say it's growing on me quite a lot. Some of the new sounds they're bringing in are pretty cool - Technical Warfare sounds like Bartok, and for some reason Haunted reminds me of Godspeed you black emperor. Admittedly, it's not too original, but it seems a bit unfair to accuse them of constantly ripping off Photek (last track's ni ten ichi ryu-isms aside) - after all, didn't they all help to come up with that sharp St. Albans sound. Could probably do with a bit more variety too, but I've put it onto tape with some of their older tracks as well (crystal house, 12 till 4, stuff like that). It seems to work a lot better that way. What's my point here? Just that it's a pretty good darkish d&b album that good to listen to if you're in the right mood - similar to Wormholes in that respect. Dan Shoebridge. np: Roots Manuva - Brand New Second Hand. Does he really say 'slap the bacon from your mouth, dance around the sarnie'? What a bizarre image.