(08.22.05) Datach’i (Joseph Fraioli) starts his new album The Elements with a track, “Musket Iron,” that was foreshadowed by his recent live sets. His consistently scattered yet accessible breaks are now accompanied by more classical timbres like strings and flutes. Not unlike Aphex Twin on the Richard D James album, it’s again proven that splatter-breaks and classical instruments fit beautifully.
The next thirteen tracks follow suit, not necessarily mixing classical instruments, but each stands on its own in trying to prove something, or at least do something new. Unlike the last album, Mmale and Ffemale (Planet-Mu), where each song blended into the previous, this album is a collection of songs. “Drowner” is a pretty, relaxed (for Datach’i) ramble through echoed tones. Then “LaByRa” hits you over the head with grinding insanity and chopped up ODB samples. Then “False Sentiment” takes you into a funhouse and won’t let you leave. Then “RAK[E]” is almost a downtempo glitch track. You get the idea. Where the last album came off as a concept album, this is a nice collection of both what Datach’i’s been up to, and what he’s capable of.
I will say this album is more accessible than Mmale and Ffemale and even the earlier Caipirinha releases –its tracks are more straight forward, more musical and cover more ground. A lot of its weirdness and creativity comes across as light and humorous, instead of disturbing and disorientating. Not that there aren’t those moments as well. It just feels more prankster than punk-rock, and it’s a great listen for a summer day.
The included video by David Firth is the icing on the cake. It’s bizarre yet tells a story, albeit a surprising one with an anti-littering message. Assuming one can call bodies litter. You be the judge.
The Elements is out now on Sublight.
- ((( Buy it at Amazon.com )))
- Sublight
- Datach’i
