From daniel Sent Thu, Jul 9th 1998, 04:16
From daniel Sent Thu, Jul 9th 1998, 04:16
Here are some reviews I had sitting around. Enjoy. Schlammpeitziger Spacerokkmountainrutschquatier A-Musik Interested in seeing what electronica is really capable of? Tired of people saying that electronic music is without feeling? Then seek out this CD. This CD conjures up images of rolling sonic waves filled with simple melodies and complex patterns. This combined with shimmering beautiful tones helps create a new perspective on what music is capable of. This is electronic music with emotion and depth. Schlammpeitziger and the label A-musik are part of the new sound of Germany. Where other labels explore the same old dance cliches A-musik is forging new paths. Each release by the label shares a common bond of tonal exploitation. Schlammpeitziger's concentration is on electronics and the melodic qualities of music. It is that concentration that helps create cohesiveness not usually found in modern compositions. As a whole this is about structure and movement. Songs are densely layered and filled with meaning. Each sound is used for effect and emphasis. This is a symphony of electronics. The music is friendly and does not alienate. At times the songs take on a pop like quality that draw the listener in. The end result is experimental music that is not pretentious. An interesting side note is that Jan St. Werner of Mouse on Mars engineered this CD. Req Frequency Jams Skint Hip hop has many possible futures. Currently, this future seems to be sample heavy and based on hits of the 80's or at least that's what MTV wants us to believe. Beneath the processed images of MTV are the real improvisers. The artists who live hip hop. Req is one such artist. He is a Graffiti artist from England who has taken his talents and applied them to music. This music is heavily layered and very subtle. Think of listening to a hip hop song emanating from a moving car that is two blocks away from you. There is the sound of the beats and scratching but in between that are thick layers of obscurity. It requires a careful listen and patience. But the end result is a further appreciation of a phenomenal genre. This may not be the future of hip hop but it is certainty a path to it. Echo Park The Revolution of Everyday Life LO recordings It has many names. Some people call it progressive rock while others call it post rock. Call it what you will but make sure to listen. This is a CD Sonic Youth should have made under an experimental alias (in fact Thurston Moore plays on a couple of tracks). Overall, the sounds produced on the CD are the result of clean urban beats combined with treated guitar and synth work. From the beginning you know you are in for a strange trip. The beat begins innocent enough but then it is followed by female ramblings, which intrigue and annoy the listener at the same time. The guitars start in and take on an ominous metallic quality. Layered upon that is a repetitive bass line that functions as a reminder of how odd things can get. As you traverse the length of the CD the songs get more experimental but they do not loose focus. That is not to say that pop elements are not present. However, they are warped into something new and beautiful. Melodies are present but they are not right. The music serves as a lesson of what is still possible in rock. A lesson more people should pay attention to. -daniel