(07.08.06) Going Through Phases started life as an attempt at imagining an R&B release on Chain Reaction. That is a pretty useful indicator for what they ended up with. There are the dusty synth stabs, the deep bass and drums that sound like they’re leaking through from some underground cavern that you could expect from those early Porter Ricks or Monolake records. And of course, a delicate use of space. But all of these sound elements have been roped into rhythms and structures that at least hint at the bounce of R&B instrumentation and four of the album’s 13 tracks feature singers.
It’s a great idea and Pellarin & Lenler carry it off well. The muffled arrangements show a refreshing restraint compared to ever-louder R&B records and the rolling beats and diverse tempos ensure this is not another set of redundant post-Chain Reaction techno.
The most unusual track is certainly “Fell A Mile,” with vocals by The Plan. I’m not sure who he is, but his vocal approach here reminded me of a male Björk, repeating lines such as “I roll around the walls” in a slightly cracked voice, falling over bar lines and maybe well out of tune too. The first time I heard it I honestly thought it was awful, but now it seems like an excellent centrepiece to a really interesting album. Highly recommended.
Going Through Phases is out now on Statler & Waldorf. (Buy it at Amazon.com)
