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Archived Reviews
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The Slovak trio of Solo, Blazena & Bob (or is that 808, it's hard to tell!) didn't do themselves many favours on their 2004 debut Illusions And Reality , thanks to the less than perfect recording quality, but the experience they've gained in the intervening period means this follow-up allows the listener to experience their often minimalistic but somehow intricate & darkly atmospheric sound more fully. This minimalism is the band's most obvious nod towards the old-skool EBM sound (I was reminded slightly of Inside Treatment in a couple of places) but their refusal to adhere rigidly to the usual principles makes the usual labelling difficult, which I'm sure the band are pleased about, in a similar manner to the recent release from labelmate Brain Leisure (who puts in a good remix of 'Why Are You Waiting', incidentally). With 17 tracks on offer it certainly offers good value for money, even if a few of them do clock in at under two minutes, although the (possibly deliberate) lack of real hooks does mean that listening to it all in one sitting can be a bit heavy going. It does have greater appeal on a more cerebral level with 'Exatrasolar', which is one of those shorter tracks, cooking up an unusual & potent atmosphere & it certainly rewards careful listening but, for me, it's the more immediate tracks that prove to have the greatest staying power, among them the robustly club-friendly 'What This World Is About', the pacey 'Circular Flow Rituals' which mixes punchy techno rhythms with all manner of unusual effects & the standout track that is 'Return 004', where the full-sounding chorus is emphasised by the laidback rhythms in a manner not totally unlike some of FLA's earlier works. Overall, then, if you're looking for infectious singalong clubhits then this is not the album for but the more adventurous among you should find this a rewarding listen. |
