Arc Lab : "No Spectre" (n5md)

Toronto is a city that has a place in my heart. Having spent several months there in 2005. immersed in its cultural diversity, laid-back atmosphere and friendly people, I returned for a visit late last year. It was during this brief holiday I first came across Torontonian down-tempo electronica producer Arc Lab, aka Medard Fischer. I stumbled across a rather cool record shop, Penguin Music, whose sole reason for existence, it seemed, was to cater for my tastes. It had a wall for recommended releases and I left with several shiny new cd's. One of those cd's was Arc Lab's "Nineteen Floors" and although the album wasn't particulalrly ground-breaking, it certainly piqued my interest.

Fast forward to 2007 and Arc Lab has had his new record "No Spectre" released by n5md. Firstly, I would like to nominate this album for having the best cover of the year so far. It marginally beats Tobias Lilja's evil raven eye cover, with remarkable close-up of obscured tree leaves that seem to emit more shades of green than I thought was possible. It hints at an organic sound on "No Spectre", but nothing could be further from the truth.

The press release for this states that n5md have returned to their roots with "No Spectre" and it is a predominantly machine made release, save for the occasional female vocals which crop up now and again. It is a fairly consistent effort from Fischer and he has developed some very well-honed programming skills. The production and beatwork are crisp and precise here, while the fresh synth textures and chiming melodies provide some nice flourishes. But, there is a nagging feeling that this is a lab-based production and it lacks the emotional depth of (previous n5md releases) SubtractiveLAD's "No Man's Land" or Last Days "Sea". At over an hour long it feels cloned and repetitive in places, treading over well worn paths.

But then, an album doesn't have to be ground-breaking to be enjoyable. Opener, "I'm All Vectors" is a refreshing slice of downtempo electronica statting with a couple of minutes of oriental sounding chimes, that build with static sounds before floating beats emerge in the mix. However, a number of tracks employ this strategy and the lack of variety soon detracts from Fischer's obvious production skills.

As a stand alone release, some of the songs on "No Spectre" could turn a few heads. "Versions" features cool robotic programming and chiming bell melodies, that are wrapped around with guazy synths. The muffled sample of people chatting at some bar is a nice touch before those crisp beats come back into the fray. "So Much For No Surprises", meanwhile, offers a respite from the chimes and lightweight beats. It has a rougher edge to it, even bordering on the sinister sounding. The beats are more forceful and particularly inventive and the harpsichord style melody towards the end is gorgeous.

Things pick up a little towards the end and tracks like "Plays Tim Arndt" falls into an excellent segment of uptempo beatwork, throbbing basslines and twinkling synths. While, "The Past" features some alluring female vocals, that gives the album a much-needed human touch.

"No Spectre" is by no means a poor release, any fan of the likes of Arovane, Donato Wharton or Autechre will undoubtedly enjoy this. But, given the quality of previous n5md albums, something doesn't quite click into place. It lacks the emotional impact we have come to expect from the innovative label and while it is carefully constructed and expertly produced, it is a liitle too synthetic for my tastes.

Rating - 65%

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Bitcrush : "Colder"

bitcrush - colder

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n5md have released a few albums over the last year or so that have been glued to my stereo. Last Days' "Sea" was one of my favourites last year, while this year, despite only being 2 months old, both SubtractiveLAD and Tobias Lilja have unleashed two of the best in and around the electronica genre.

So in celebration of n5md's quality and individuality, here is a video of Bitcrush's "Colder", which was shot by Liam Franklin. Check out his other work here.

Last Days Almost Spring Mix

Hot on the heels of my cinematic mix yesterday, it is now the turn of the professionals. Last Days has completed the follow-up to his Best of 2006 and New Year Mix. It's entitled "Almost Spring"....

"This quiet mix ended up being quite ambient and classical with some recent favorites and some i'd forgotten i had.
About half way in is a sample from a 45 minute piece of audio art by Alvin Lucier 'i am sitting in a room' from 1970 in which he records his voice saying one short statement then plays it back while recording that on another machine. He then plays that back while recording it on the first machine. After an hour all that can be heard is the natural droning reverb that particular room provides. His words explain why he conducted this experiment. It's hardly the kind of thing you'd put on in the background when having friends round for dinner and perhaps it's not right to mess about with such a piece in a mix but it's a fascinating piece of work."

Tracklist

00.00 - 04.54 D_rradio - Perfect For The Fall
04.45 - 07.45 Your Ten Mofo - 3
07.37 - 12.09 Isolee - Picture Loved
11.56 - 14.42 Khonnor - Rooms
14.24 - 19.17 Andrew Hodgeson - Set Your Feelings Free
19.10 - 24.11 Marsen Jules - Chanson Du Soir
24.07 - 28.11 Kazumasa Hashimoto - Milmils
28.08 - 33.05 Fourcolor - Empty Sky
30.22 - 39.49 Alvin Lucier - I Am Sitting In A Room
36.32 - 40.03 Jóhann Jóhannsson - Ef Ég Hefdi Aldrei...
40.03 - 47.20 Ludovico Einaudi - Primavera
47.18 - 51.12 Erik Enocksson - The Lingering Procession
51.08 - 54.45 Bjork & Lars Von Trier - Overture

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SubtractiveLAD : "No Man's Land" (n5md)

To the untrained ear there may be nothing particularly new about SubtractiveLAD's compositions. But for those with a keen sense of musicianship and good knowledge of recording techniques and equipment in the electronica field, it is a different matter. It is interesting to note that n5md, head honcho, Mike Cadoo, upon hearing SubtractiveLAD's music for the first time, instantly noted his completely unique sounds and recording techniques.

For the Vancouver-based musician, also known as Stephen Hummel, develops his own instruments and software, accumulating over 20 self-made devices over the years. Throughout "No Man's Land", his 3rd release on n5md, devices such as home-made synths and patches, drum-boxes, effects units and feedback noise generators are used and combined with analogue instrumentation, on some occasions to breathtaking effect.

Look no further than standout, and title track, "No Man's Land". A 12 minute epic centre-piece that starts off so very calmly, but an undercurrent of distorted guitar work is apparent almost from the outset. As this track weaves between blissful ambience and towering waves of distortion, you find yourself totally immersed in SubtractiveLAD's world. It is one of numerous heartfelt and intensely emotional moments on this release.

Although a number of tracks incorporate subdued, but inventive programming, it is on the more reflective ambient passages where the album truly shines. "Of Sand and Seas" takes its cues from German pioneers Tangerine Dream, but adds layers upon layers of synths and hazy guitars. There's a real earthly element to his compositions, which is surely a product of his home-made synths (or possibly the subtle field recordings throughout). "Of Sand and Seas" conjures images of dormant volcanos in my mind.

That being said, the compelling IDM rythmns on "The Shell" and "The Sun In Your Eyes" show SubtractiveLAD in a different light. The former is a spectacular album opener using compressed beats, driving guitars and celestial synths, bridging the gap between the post-rock and electronica worlds. The latter is a multi-textured piano-led piece, that transports the listener to the ocean front, with its field recordings and calming tones, before rousing you with a series of playful, under-stated programming.

The music contained throughout "No Man's Land" shows a staggering attention to detail. Gentle piano lines, lulling synths, drifting vocals (especially on the gorgeous album closer "The Lucky Ones") combine gracefully with ascending waves of guitar distortion and captivating field recordings. It is rare for an album, with so many ambient moments, to pack such an emotional punch. But then have we come to expect anything less from a n5md artist?.

Rating = 80%

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Tobias Lilja : "Time Is On My Side" (n5md)

n5md base the concept of their label around the mantra "emotional experiements in music". Last year saw the release of their most emotional recording yet, Last Days' epic "Sea" album. That collection of affecting compositions contained all of the hallmarks of n5md's individuality. Fast forward to 2007, and "Time Is On My Side" by Swedish electronic composer Tobias Lilja reinforces n5's commitment to music that is just that step ahead in terms of emotional intensity and creativity.

Lilja has created a sprawling album based around the concepts of time, choices and longing. Having spent two years studying sound engineering, Lilja was disillusioned with the boundaries of technical sound perfection. "Time Is On My Side" is his response to those barriers, a deeply emotive album that evokes images of decay and degeneration. Most importanly, though, this album is upfront and extremely intimate.

The most startling aspect of "Time Is.." is the way Lilja has incorporated his voice into the compositions, giving a feeling similar to "Bachelorette" period Bjork. His hypnotic voice is backed by a soundtrack of crumbling beats, static-soaked sounds and desolate melodies. Opening number, "A Ruthless Beast" sounds expansive, yet there's a real feeling of isolation an claustrpohobia, with Lilja remarking "Am I tied up or am I clinging on?.." over and over. In fact, this album is a mass of contradictions, it's dark yet shards of light seem to break their way through all the gothic gloom. It's bleak yet incredibly beautiful in parts. "Blood Tracer" is a prime example of this, intially enevloping the listener with a sense of remotelessness. Deadend beats collide with one another, almost like an almighty storm, as Lilja's multi-tracked voice, once again, becomes the focal point. This near nine-minute mini-opera explodes beautifully towards the end, though, culminating in a stunning mix of ethereal female vocals with despairing synths.

"Beginner's Optimisim", is another stand-out with a repeating cycle of strained orchestral sounds and supressed electronics. The beats seem to escalate euphorically, before subsiding into a mass of drones and filtered vocals, with Lilja again uttering "Am I tied up or am I clingling on..."

Lyrical themes are important to "Time Is On My Side", while the titles of some tracks ("A Settlement Of Dust, "Gas of Forgiveness") reinforce the sense of controlled despair. The latter allows desolate sounds to assemble ominously, while Lilja hypnotically informs us that he "slept like a king". Tracks like this bear some resemblence to some of the darker moments on Thom Yorke's "The Eraser" opus.

"Time Is On My Side" is the first important album of 2007. It is constantly interesting, grabbing you with a vice-like grip, suffocating the listener with each of the 11 apocalyptic compositions. At times it's bleakness seems relentless, but a subtle melody or a dim string passage breaks its way through now and again, conveying a sense of hope. It is not until the last static-drenched strains of "To Be Thought Of" that you can pause for thought. Lilja's brooding vocals ensures that this album is thoroughly captivating throughout. A constantly evocative and deeply personal recorded document, "Time Is On My Side" is an outstanding achievement for Tobias Lilja and an excellent find for the ever-impressive n5md.

Order "Time Is On My Side" here.


Rating = 90%

Points of Interest...

1. If there any aspiring writers or anyone with some opinions on musical, political or artistic issues. Ask for a inivite to the Hidden Shoal Recordings project FluxusTV. There is an ever-growing band of like-minded individuals posting their thoughs and sharing their interests at this intriguing venture. I've joined up and it looks very good fun.

2. Arclight Communications have confirmed that they will release Romance of Young Tigers self-titled ep via 10" vinyl this year and it will feature a bonus track. It will be limited to just 400 copies.

3. Mark 6/02/07 in your diaries, because n5md will issue their latest batch of "emotional experiments in music". Albums by Sweden's Tobias Lilja and Canadians SubtractiveLAD and Arc Lab will be released on this day.

4. Two of my tips for 2007 will be releasing new material very soon. iLiKETRAiNS will have a new single, "Spencer Perceval" out on 26/03/07. While, Slow Dancing Society officially releases "The Sound of Lights When Turned Dim" this coming Monday. Order it here

5. Keser will return to Glasgow on 23/01/07 to play a free gig at everyone's favourite late night bar, Bloc. ÅsA are also due to play at what should be an excellent night for contemporary Scottish music.