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Tom Shear wasn't kidding when he said that the music of this project (which originally predated A23) was a totally different kettle of fish from his normal output. This fine collection of tracks moves away from the song-based sound of A23 in favour of a less commercial but still accessable style that utilises drum & bass rhythms, breakbeats & unusual sounds, mixing & matching in whatever way suits & while the music herein verges on the edge of electronica throughout accurate labelling is nigh on impossible. What it does need is a 'proper' listen to get the most out of it as most tracks build slowly from either ambient beginnings or simple rhythmic lines, steadily revealing their full potential with "Option.One" expertly building up a potent head of steam while the rhythms that grace "Slow. Motion. Shadow" sound like a cross between Orbital & The Prodigy while the accompanying offbeat melodics set a most chilling mood. The electric piano that forms the basis of "Beneath. A. Bed. Of. Wet. Leaves" proves that any music benefits from a dash of feeling & although the offbeat effected voice effects do sound a tad jarring the renewed rhythmic thrust towards the end renews the tracks's initial promise, thus reasserting its position as one of the album's highlights. In direct contrast "Tweaker" is a faster, harder offering with rapid-fire, squirty sequencing & pacey rhythms that really surge towards the final furlong that is the closing "Sun. Rise", an approprately bright piece that again has just a touch of the offbeat to keep you on your toes. What makes this album such a success of Tom's sense of proportion, a knack that only leaves him on one or two occasions as both "Hey. Daddy" & "Machine Language" do lack any real direction, despite the initially good melodic work & clever voice effects that grace the former. Overall, though, this is a fine album & while it is less commercial than A23 the accessable side means it should still appeal to all but the most pop-minded music lover. |
