(03.09.09) [Ref.: PDS 2008 Top 10] There are always ebbs and flows of high quality releases that pass through these ears on a weekly basis and some stand out more than others. In this synopsis the intention is to divulge on my Top Ten selections for 2008; these are releases that continually gravitate back and forth from one speaker to the other. I hope that in some way these words cause an effect allowing the opportunity for you to enjoy these releases as much as I have over the past year. In this (mini-review) process specific artists featured on the compilations are (intentionally) neglected with the focus, instead, on the feelings dissipating from their tracks. With this method, the record labels’ mission is to (presumably) release quality electronic music revealed as a whole instead of individual musical pieces.
Moving on:
Autechre’s Quaristice (Warp) is as much a departure from Incunabula as it is Confield yet somehow manages to contain remnants featured on tracks such as “Altibzz” and “Nowo” –two pieces that flow seamlessly (sans percussion). If anything at all, Quaristice unveils a diabolical world full of subtle electric debris to full-on digital-industrial mayhem and accomplishes what most try to create; a signature movement all their own. [Listen / Purchase
Byetone’s Death of a Typographer (Raster-Noton) delivers solid rhythms from one end of the spectrum to the next. Riding through this landscape of magnetic, ear sizzling beats Byetone twists and contorts sound, static and noise with refined ambient moments that quite simply work as a whole. [Listen / Purchase
Ginormous’ At Night, Under Artificial Light (Hymen) offers an organic approach to a lost world displaying signs of shoegaze abstracts (“Awakening The Magpie In All Of Us,” “A Corridor Leading To Modern Space”) tied to severally emotional post-industrial elements (“Night Scenes, Fireworks, The Heavens”). Tracks like “Coiled So Tightly,” on the other hand, elevate high above the rest with a funky backbone and attractive melodies within a swift 3-minutes. An intoxicating and highly-effective release to say the least. [Listen / Purchase
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Mcmkm’s Orphan Ristophe (Mockmoon) meshes distinct yet varying styles within its 11-tracks. Rugged breaks intersect hip-hop beats while FSOL-esque atmospheres roam in the background. OR leaves tantalizing sonic etches with a variety of stylistic groove changes ultimately complimenting the artists’ ability to paint a complex picture (and/or musical scope of work). Cinematical Breakbeat Soundscapes (quoted from mockmoon.com) is nothing short of an accurate description for OR. While seemingly flying under the radar, Mcmkm is an artist to earmark –no questions ask. [Listen / Purchase]
Without getting into too much detail (see Igloo’s full review here), Meat Beat Manifesto’s Autoimmune (Metropolis/Planet Mu) once again redefines Jack Dangers’ signature warped bass, chunky beats and intentional distortion. MBM’s latest outing delivers naturally what others in the dubstep genre have tried to emulate. From one track to the next, classic samples interweave with heavy basslines and percussive progression clearly exemplifying MBM’s stature in audio frequency manipulation. [Listen / Purchase
On more of a tranquil note, Mileu’s Paperbacks (Milieu Music) offers delicately woven melodies connected to addictive (hip-hop) beats. Always one to deliver; Milieu produces an aged sound that is highly nostalgic, effective and mystical; its musical pathway yields BOC influences while managing to produce a unique sound all his own. Paperbacks merges live instrumentation (guitars, bass, drums) with peaceful sound-escapes ultimately creating and revisiting pleasant memories along the way. [Listen / Purchase]
Tzolk’in’s Haab (Ant-Zen) is another animal altogether; this release unleashes a subdued fury that is all encapsulating and adventurous. Perhaps discovered on a distant planet (likely to be the case), Tzolk’in creates industrialized landscapes, torn at the edges, shredded at the seams yet with a propulsion that moves into future worlds (refer to “Kumk’u” for a prime example). At times veering into built-up distortion (“Yaxk’in”), Tzolk’in’s sound is nothing short of extraterrestrial madness with an organically tribal feel. Approach with caution, exit with euphoria. [Purchase
The tough digital electronics (TDE for short) award should definitely reside in Electr-ohm’s world. With Electr-ohm Compilation 2, the Japanese imprint has once again produced mayhem and beauty on one CD. Spanning through post-industrial sonic explosions this compilation defines the pure finesse of machines and their ability to evoke a sense of organized chaos. Some might complain about the emotionless aesthetic on this compilation, however, it should be noted that perhaps the intention of the label was to create this particular resultant. EC2 establishes the fact that machines can alter the perception of conventional electronic music to a level that is purely mechanical and exhilarating. Is there really anything wrong with that? [Purchase]
And yet another Volume 2 compilation; this one from the ever expanding Tympanik Audio collective with Emerging Organisms 2. Spanning 2-discs, EO2 is the perfect marriage of all things creatively abstract and accurately defines the labels mandate to “Bend the hearts and minds of the uninitiated.” Blocks of industrial noise are welded to emotional electronics and the entire compilation blissfully melts in your ears. Several global musicians compliment the array of sonic manifestations on EO2 and they all manage to perform coherently one track after the other. Tympanik Audio have (quite easily) set the foundations unto which their roster can expand in all directions —EO2 simply confirms this theory. [Purchase
Germany’s Trachanik is another label to keep an ear on. Over the past few years they’ve quietly unleashed a few gems that compliment a hybrid of sounds ranging from organic industrial to deconstructed clip-hop. It’s difficult to describe in words without repeating the obligatory otherworldly sound Trachanik occupy with Impulse Response.dc. Seamlessly intersecting electronics with darkened percussion that would be suitable for the dancefloor and your living room sofa, Trachanik ranks high in these ears both for audio and visual consumption. IR.dc is a compilation of unique structural integrity pushing through pre-conceived boundaries and leaving nothing in its tracks to be emulated. [Purchase]
All releases above are out now.
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