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Reboot
by Sam Brown |
Album
Review of Reboot by Sam Brown |
Drukwos by Aphex Twin  "An eclectic fusion of dark beats, chilled melodies, drum and base, tweaking acid, weird synth sounds, classical piano interludes and eighties electro breaks" |
Album Review of Drukwos by Aphex Twin The long awaited much hyped, thirty track two CD album is the first long player from the Cornishman since 'Richard D James'. Yes the obvious fanfare and propaganda circus which inevitably accompany an Aphex Twin release, whichever name is his flavour of the month, is in stark contrast to the image of a man who has spent most of his time since the mid-nineties running from those who would worship him. He has declared he is giving up music more times than his followers have considered giving up substance consumption. So to the music, the album is an eclectic fusion of dark beats, chilled melodies, drum and base, tweaking acid, weird synth sounds, classical piano interludes and eighties electro breaks. It would seem that his attention span is as short as ever with the album flicking widely between ambient piano led pieces, most beautiful of which are 'Jynwythek Ylow' and the Eric Satie like composition 'Petial Cx Htdui' and the edgy jungle battles with seemingly random analogue pulses. Such juxtaposition is fn and as the tracks progress, the tension and the layers of noise increase in turn crescending to an unholy electrical noise. Therefore very welcoming is the calming influence of the avant-garde ambient strains of 'Kladfvakbing Micshk', 'Strotha Tynhe' and 'Gwely Mernans'. Certainly this is an album which requires and deserves several playings to even begin to understand what is going on in the head of Richard D JAmes, but maybe it's safer not to try to analyse the A.F.X headfuck. To simply measure the Aphex genius in terms of musical composition, however is to do him a disservice. With so many pale imitations and deep house dullards then dance music, if James is still part of such a thing badly needs characters like him. The media are obviously playthings of his and on observing the cult of 'Twin' does he even need to release an album, when doing the opposite from what everyone expects and wants fulfils everyone's expectations, so perhaps behind all the bluff, toil and counterbluff he does care really. He's just having a laugh isn't he? |
By Degrees by The Core  "top marks for this debut album" |
Album Review of By Degrees by The Core By Degrees is the stunning debut album by The Core - featuring the partnership of John Doole and Marion Cochrane. This highly talented duo have amazingly written, produced and performed each song on the entire album and can only acknowledge the assistance of The Kelvin Ensemble. Each of the nine songs displays multi-instrumentalist John Doole's versitility (he plays drums, electric and acoustic guitars, electric piano, Hammond organ, piano and vocals) and the unique powerful voice of Marion Cochrane. There is a good mix of tracks guaranteed to capture the imagination of the listener ranging from soft-rock to ballads. Although each song has it's own uique feel to it, outstanding tracks include the haunting 'Just Another Day', the enchanting 'Do You Ever Remember' and the more up-beat, rock-tempo Fleetwood Mac inspired 'What More Can I Do'. The Core deserve top marks for this debut album which should earn them a legion of loyal listeners. That only leaves one question to be answered - can we have more?! |
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