Clara Moto – Polyamour

March 2nd, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in electronica, female vocalists, progressive house, techno  |  2 comments

Rephlektor Inkorporated just sent me an album that would typically never make it on my playlist: the vocals, provided by Mimu, aren’t as strong as one would expect with such a minimal techno/house background. They also aren’t as cute as I was hoping. None of that matters, though, because the bass kills. Produced by Austrian electronic artist Clara Moto (whose background, surprisingly, is in jazz and classical-piano) Polyamour provides a clean electronic listening experience with excellent production and breadth. Not only will this make my playlist, it’s making it on the site.

Foxdye – M4g1c47 G71mm3r1ng R41nb0w

February 17th, 2010  |  by taylor fife  |  published in dubstep, electronica  |  3 comments

The major flaw of this album is that it has little value outside of its humor. The songs don’t lend themselves well to the dance floor or as background music, and their technical merit isn’t exactly breathtaking. The best satire strives to be much more than a silly over-the-top reproduction of that at which it pokes fun. This album is more “Scary Movie” than it is “Scream;” it loudly proclaims itself to be a comedy by taking every irritating cliché and ratcheting it up a few notches, rather than taking a more subtle, and ultimately more devastating, method of attack.

Panthu du Prince – Black Noise

February 16th, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in ambient, techno  |  2 comments

Like most minimal techno artists, Pantha du Prince (Hendrick Weber) requires deep listening. You cannot trust his records to passively play in the background. Unless you’re actively listening to him, he’s not really playing. Try to sweep up your apartment while listening to his latest album, Black Noise, out this week on Rough Trade, and you’ll see that you soon forget that it’s even playing.

Another Electronic Musician – States of Space

February 6th, 2010  |  by taylor fife  |  published in electronica  |  3 comments

So is he or isn’t he? I’ve found it generally bothersome that Jase Rex’s curious moniker seems to demand that reviewers and promoters
passionately proclaim that, in fact (and often in less-than-clever wordplay), he is NOT merely another electronic musician. Perhaps then, it’s just been out of spite that I’ve never found Another Electronic Musician (or AEM) to be particularly exceptional.

The Album Leaf – A Chorus of Storytellers

February 2nd, 2010  |  by taylor fife  |  published in instrumental, house, post-rock  |  2 comments

The album is incredibly beautiful, and there is obviously a lot of potential, but for now the post-rock diluted with indie-rock is best
suited for background music. And judging by their television, movie, and commercial credits, many people agree.

Vistas – Mute

February 2nd, 2010  |  by Jess Alatorre  |  published in electronic, experimental, instrumental, house  |  3 comments

Vista is comprised of Josh Nagle and Owen Cartwright (or œ). Josh plays the analog sampler (KORG ELECTRIBE), laptop computer, and keyboard and Owen plays guitars, a laptop live station and an APC40. While most bands move to the big city, these two are holding strong to their Maine roots.

Emancipator – Safe in the Steep Cliffs

February 1st, 2010  |  by jason grishkoff  |  published in ambient, instrumental, house, trip hop

Chill out. Seriously. Put those legs up, get a cup of warm tea, and melt to the sounds of Emancipator’s new album, Safe in the Steep Cliffs. You will be greeted by “dense layers of choirs, horns, American folk instruments such as the banjo and mandolin, violin and some distinct Asian influences make for a playful but refined album built out of intricate tracks listeners can enjoy on as many levels as they want. Dance to it, chill out to it, immerse your mind in it. It really doesn’t matter.”