(idm) Autechre's latest

From Nate Harrison
Sent Fri, Jun 11th 1999, 20:08

 Got the new EP. I gotta say, and believe me it's tough to type this, but
well, I'm bored of Ae. This new one's just not working for me as much as I
would like. Besides the fact that it sounds like outtakes from LP5, (which
I don't have a problem with, Ae intermix sounds in songs all the time), it
sounds like a lot of disconnected noodling. Which to say that about Ae is
a big thing I think because one of their strong points for me has always
been their cohesivesness and direction, which I don't hear on EP7. Nothing
on the disc is grabbing me, no theme or melody or drum pattern or
anything...if ever there was an example of all style and no substance,
well this would be it. I have to say this is quite possibly the most
mediocre of the Ae releases. Unlike the majority of the Ae material which
requires more attentive listening, this one actually works better when
played in the background when your mind is on something else.  I will be
interested to hear what others think. I know their have been mixed reviews
on this one already, just thought I would add my .02... 

peace

Nate

PS besides the secret track (which is gratuitous Metasynth if I ever heard
it, I don't maybe I shouldn't have a problem with that), I also noticed
there is a fair amount of (gasp) recognizable sounds/loops. For instance
people talking, and track 8 has 808 snares and bass drums. What is going
on? I am very confused...