The Kooky Scientist: Unpopular Science
Plus 8, 1997
Unpopular Science straddles the thin line between deep house and techno. The first few cuts are dark and repetitive. Things begin to pick up by “Cash Flow.” Mesmerizing synth lines swirl among the beats and deep bass, as 303ish sounds squelch and chatter. After “Cash Flow” is “Kookai,” a bass experiment with marching four-on-the-floor beats fit for any dance club. Gradually boinging twangs of Star Wars robot-inspired insanity join with the catchy beat. The percussion and bass go it alone for a while until a trancey panning effect joins in at the three minute mark. Re-insert the robot sounds, and the hypnotic effect of “Kookai” is complete. “Bad Chemistry” starts out with an eerie subtle bassline. The other sounds chime in gradually. This track does more to creep one out than inspire dancing. Fred Giannelli’s Kooky Scientist personna has spun out an album which, on the whole, is deeply satisfying. I like the juxtaposition of the middle songs the best, but “Nite Glide,” my favorite cut, lies towards the end. The sounds seem to be sinking down to earth from a space craft. I picture dozens of shadowy figures dancing in a stobe-lit underground cavern.
