(idm) ae - ep7

From Jonathan Tedds
Sent Thu, Jun 10th 1999, 16:05

I've been listening to EP7 on and off since it came out on Monday here in
the UK. Agree with Jameel that the case is excellent - though I prefer
the pictures on the back to the wiggly lines of the cover. I liked
Christian's second review - you're not alone in thinking that there is a
generally welcome return to tracks with a little more warmth compared to
LP5. To me, LP5 certainly has the ae haunting tune factor - insinuating 
themselves into your mind. But for me the sounds of LP5 are rather dry
compared to their best material and there are some more solid sounds here 
again interspersed with outtakes from LP5 recording(?). For what it's
worth, here are some doodlings I made as I listened to EP7 - though it's
not easy describing music with words....

Autechre - EP7 - they've got a system, a brand new system...sometimes.

-1.) [untitled] - spooky effects to start you off - a little different
                  too. Only just heard this for the first time this
                  morning...

1.) R Peg - Squelchfest - accessible - wet is the word. A kind of jazz
            theme surfaces periodically.

2.) CCEC - Vox - rolled r's with rapid-fire delays and repeats - insistent
           chord sequence added growing weight by gently hissing cymbals.

3.) Squeller - Sweeping crescendos of percussive effects cushioned by
               mellow chord pads of progressively increasing pitch.

4.) Left Bank - Russian state broadcasts intervene on beaten art
                installation a la LP5 (ae in appropriate title shocker!)

5.) Outpt - Incunubudrumming and hum-a-long cascades of effects roll into
            view periodically and are then given a sharp clip round the
            ear for their trouble - they have to know who's boss.

6.) Dropp - Ponderous bass - definite Incunubula echoes here again coupled
            with noisy sweeps.

7.) Liccflii - LP5 derived abstraction - meandering tones attempt to make
               music from the madness with questionable success.

8.) Maphive 6.1 - Excellent, chime-laden track. A new direction - more
                  solid sounds and twisting hook threaing disparate beats
                  into whole. Orchestral drum rolls to open.

9.) Zeiss Contarex - back to LP5 gubbins again but more solid in the tunes
                     dept with satisfyingly drawn out bass tones a la 
                     Human League circa 1981 underpinning a gentle hip-hop
                     beat arrangement.

10.) Netlon Sentinel - more LP5 outtake. I think the lads are sometimes
                       guilty of not allowing some of their musical ideas
                       the space to breathe as they once used to... 

11.) Pir - Resolution of a kind. Incunubula influenced - charming melody
           a welcome antidote to the rather dry sounds of LP5.

Cheers,
Jonny