No matter how disparate this might sound, everything is held together through the theme of carnival-esque gypsy sounds and samples from turn-of-the-century phonographs.
[Release page] I reviewed Maduro’s brilliantly conceived Black Magic Kingdom, which used samples taken from a trip to the French Quarter of New Orleans as its impetus, and I found his sound quite infectious. This time, Maduro has produced another excellent concept record called Catching Bullets which is based around the famous illusionists, carnivals and magic shows of the early 1900s. And I’ve got to say, I’m impressed again.
And the album certainly embraces a genre-mashing vibe. “Decapitation Mystery,” for example, packs in IDM treatments, downtempo hip-hop, as well as some deep dubstep subs and wobbles. Whereas, “Casks and Cabinets,” goes from hip-hop to breakbeat, all through a prism of 8-bit style effects. Then “Otto the Automaton” returns to dubstep in the drum department, but blends in cinematic instruments and more than a hint of techno.
However, no matter how disparate this might sound, everything is held together through the theme of carnival-esque gypsy sounds and samples from turn-of-the-century phonographs. At times, I am reminded of melodic Icelandic electronic folksters, Múm, especially on accordion-led tracks such as “Underwater Escape.” At others, it more like a mellowed-out Bomb20 in terms of Maduro’s signature glitchy and distorted hip-hop beats that feature throughout.
Later on, we’re treated to a Keef Baker remix of “Blindfold Ballet.” Baker’s remix is a brilliantly subtle and moving take on Maduro’s equally good track, and it heads into quite epic territory by the end of the tune, as if Sigur Rós were at the controls.
Unfortunately, the album ends on a bum note. Final track “Little Stars,” which endlessly repeats the English lullaby, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star…” doesn’t live up to its neighboring tracks. Not that this should put you off from checking out what is otherwise another quality album from Maduro.
Catching Bullets is out now on Octofoil. [Release page]
