|
4 1/2Even more noticeably brilliant and calibrated then his first high quality head-turner, HND remains a highlight of early first-rate idm-d&b, accentuated by authentic, exploratory instrumentation and an exceptional fluidity, rendering these onslaughts of noise anything but dismissive up to highest critical standards.
Just check Beep Street, Papalon (yes, that's an obo)., Male Pill, or Rat/Ps+Qs. Cooper's World, E8 Boogie (a bit of jazz fusion in there too), and Fat Controller are tributes to all things 70s Funk. Squarepusher tributes the music he loves on this one, especially the Jazz sound that he grew up on (in interviews he talks about playing his Dad's Weather Report and other records). The 'Pusher doesn't stop at jazz with the tributes though. And as usual Squarepusher nods to the rave scene with several excellent "hardcore" tracks again with his own twist: Rustic Raver, Chin Hippy, and possibly the only straight ahead jungle track on the album: Vic Acid.The bottom line: each track is beautifully and meticulous composed, full of rich mood and emotion, the flow from start to finish is well thought out and 11 years later this still sounds fresh.My top picks: Papalon, Beep Street, Fat Controller, and Male Pill Part 13 Of course there is a twist: it's mostly programmed. I have never heard anyone get such a complex jazz sound with programmed beats like this.
For me, it ties Big Loada for Squarepusher's best album, both of which are on my "top ten of all time". This album is superb.
If you really want to hear this album for what it is, you have to hear the whole thing at least a few times. Squarepusher shows some amazing production techniques especially with the drum samples. If you're like me and expected to hear the kind of music you hear on Squarepusher's remixes, you will not find it here. Just the 30 second samples won't do it. It's not just bob your head or dance music. I used to have a tendancy to give great albums 5 stars.
I used to try to look for something specific when listening to this, but this is NOT a regular drum and bass album. His atmospheric work on each track is very good too. But a 5 star album has to be mind mending. It's a complete experience. I am looking forward to hearing more from Squarepusher, for sure. This is a great album.
This is a lot deeper.
Amusing. Check YouTube to see Tom pitch bend E8Boogie while making puky faces in his studio. not amazing what more can I say. Minus the last track, this is pure, untamed, genius.
|
