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(03.09.05) “Vertigo” jumps to life without any introduction, its sinister bass line and b-grade horror refrains fighting for the listener’s attention. A very interesting mix of elements that gradually recede leaving creepy synths meandering into silence. “Undercurrent” similarly has an obvious minor key horror fixation, with abrasive synths growling away with tappy beats and muted arpeggios trickling. Syncopated beats and clean and rounded preset-sounding leads and basses dominate and characterize the whole ep, and “Sabotage” perhaps is the lesser for such clean and unaffected sounds.
“Kairo” concludes with subdued melody and some soft percussion. A solid first edition for the Cactus Island series, Resolve suffers slightly in that it is a collection of tracks that all seem to be extensions of each other, not each having their own identity. However, an enjoyable listen from start to finish.
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(03.09.05) This second outing in the Cactus Island 3″ CDr series refreshingly turns away from the standard fare of clattering beats and vague melodies and offers something immediately more subtle and considered. “The Power of Corridors” starts things off with its almost Gamelan-esque tones, slowly building into a slow groove. “Stitched Switch” bounces along with a charming almost oriental melody and some lightweight and subtle zaps and blips, with the track meandering to and fro as though it has a mind of its own that is not at all happy with its own structure.
“As Yet Undiagnosed” abandons the grace and subtlety exerted throughout most of this EP, and lets fly with unbridled stutter beats and eerie yet mildly jazzy chord progressions. “Half An Echo” arrives with bit-reduced chords and wistful melodics, and acts like a very effective interlude of sorts, rather than a whole coherent song.
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Both Resolve Vol. 1 and Kelp Vol. 2 are out now on Cactus Island Recordings.
