(idm) Reviews as promised

From Tom Millar
Sent Thu, Jul 1st 1999, 04:06

Kumquat: Kumquat
Kumquat KQCD01

I like parts of this record. The problem lies in the fact that these
parts are all in different songs in different places. Like a lot of
folks have said, this has a lot of promise and some of the bits are
really neat- It reminds me of a lot of other records that rely on
lengthy samples, waiting for the good stuff to come around again. Song
structure is always a problem for sampladelica, I guess. The drums need
to be higher in the mix, but maybe that's just me. More of these
grooves. Of course it's intense mental effort to try and write this
review in an honest fashion because a) dude gave everybody free copies
b) I've been there.
So I didn't leave it in my CD player for a week- I liked bits and
pieces, just not the whole.  More than anything, I suppose, this stuff
needs a little more cohesiveness.

Colongib: Mapping Music
Kracfive KFAT004CD

On the cover, there's a picture of a guy seemingly using an Atari to
compose his music. Don't believe it. What's really happening on this
record is that the Atari is using the guy. More robofunk in the vein of
the track that appeared on the Blip, Bleep compilation. Not quite as
concerned with the full-on coin-op sound as MegaBlasterFiend; indeed,
there's quite a large spectrum of sounds on this album, but it's all in
the same chunky structural vein. Sounds almost random at times, but
never loses the beat. Staccato, wicked and like all the other records
you IDMer's seem to love in that despite the constant rhythmic presence
it's almost totally unsuitable for the dancefloor. Headphones.
Definitely headphones. On a closing note: The track "Giraffunkedjazz" is
the only tune to date I've heard that used that infamous synthesized
slap bass (a la Seinfeld) to any good effect. In fact, I really like
that track. Things you never thought were possible...

V/A: Dated
töshöklabs TLCD002

This is really my style. All the beats are distorted to fuck and the
pads just wail and echo on top- the fantasy factory sound, like what
power plants and industrial parks would sound like if they were cool. I
like this a lot- some of the tracks might drag on a bit for a few folks,
but I didn't have any problems. Put it on this morning extra loud and
took a shower. Felt like I was in some kind of Kafkaesque clone bank for
a little while. Pretty in the sense that cluttered, low-lying city
skylines seem gorgeous sometimes. Rainy weather music for prefabricated architecture.

Jason Hogans: Peter And The Rooster
Planet E PE65245

When my college radio station first recieved the test pressing for this
way back in April or whenever, I couldn't stop singing the praises of
this dude. So you'll excuse me if I'm a little burnt out by now. Suffice
to say this is a wonderful EP, with near-perfect construction and
arrangment. Jazz breaks abound, played straight (this is a Planet E
release, after all) and square waves carry the melody almost every time.
I love square waves. On all the old Capcom games for the NES, the tunes
were almost entirely written with white noise and FM square waves. Maybe
that's why I think of Mega Man taking bong hits when I listen to this.
Lovely stuff. Makes me really worry about Planet E, though- how can they
keep the quality this high all the time? Nothing lasts forever...