idm

Kettel: Myam James Part 1

Kettel is one of the few electronic music makers to wear his heart on his sleeve. He isn’t afraid of sweet melody, and he has the confidence to mix old and new sounds. He follows up last year’s beautiful Whisper Me Wishes with some of the warmest acid tracks I’ve ever heard.
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Apr 29, 2008 in Reviews: Electronica

Fava Beats: Start Stop and Tap

If you like Analord and The Tuss, chances are you’ll love these two new 4-track EPs from Israel. Fava Beats is a collaboration between ±G6PD label founders Yaniv Navot and Eliad Wagner. Both CDs are outstanding.
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Apr 2, 2008 in Reviews: Electronica

Funckarma: Sploid

The IDM revival continues with a new record from Funckarma. While I wouldn’t characterize this EP as ground-breaking, it certainly is solid and enjoyable.
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Feb 16, 2008 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: Quaristice

Autechre's first album in nearly three years will probably take nearly that long to sink in, but my first impression is pure pleasure.
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Jan 30, 2008 in Reviews: Electronica

D'arcangelo: Eksel

The album begins with a chopped hip-hop beat clunking along an ambient drone and some distant chords. This essentially goes on for 4 minutes—welcome to 1999. D’arcangelo have been mainstays in the realm of experimental electronic music ever since their first release on Rephlex back in 1996. Combining elements of electro hooks and ambient atmospheres into their experimental music, I have always anticipated their next release with excitement.
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Dec 23, 2007 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: Ikude

Somehow this CD got stuck at the bottom of my to-review pile. Upon re-listening, I discovered a nice collection of understated, melodic IDM.
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Nov 2, 2007 in Reviews: Electronica

Freescha: Freeschaland

In the trinity of artists recording analogue synthesizers to wobbly tapes, Boards of Canada is the father and Christ. is obviously the sacrificial son. That would, appropriately, make Freescha a ghost. While Nick Huntington and Michael McGroart have been creating music since the late nineties, they are often overlooked, perhaps due to their California location. This retrospective of their first three EPs is evidence of just how essential they are.
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Oct 21, 2007 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: One Five Zero

To celebrate their 50th release, n5MD have pulled out all the stops with a double-disc label overview. This collection shows how far the label has come from its MiniDisc-only days. Unfortunately, it also shows how much the IDM scene has been transformed into instrumental indie rock.
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Oct 11, 2007 in Reviews: Electronica

Nikka: Isotopos

I’m glad there’s a record label where IDM hold-outs can still experiment.
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Oct 4, 2007 in Reviews: Electronica

Bola: Kroungrine

The Bola philosophy must be lack of gratification.
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Aug 4, 2007 in Reviews: Electronica

The Return of B12

B12 are back with two 12-inches after a ten year absence.
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Jun 10, 2007 in Reviews: Electronica

February Roundup

Hip-hop and IDM: DJ Cutler, Bukue One, 8yone, and Arc Lab.
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Feb 28, 2007 in Reviews

January Roundup

Yard, Compost, Lackluster, Boltfish, and Desperate Man Blues.
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Jan 31, 2007 in Reviews

Xela: For Frosty Mornings and Summer Nights

A glitchy, melodic classic.
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Jan 21, 2007 in Reviews: Electronica

Gescom: MiniDisc

I can see these sounds finding new life.
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Nov 5, 2006 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: Shitkatapult Empfiehlt

The one common thread? Talent!
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Oct 15, 2006 in Reviews: Electronica

Bola: Shapes

This music was retro even when it was first released, but it holds up well.
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Sep 11, 2006 in Reviews: Electronica

Freescha: Head Warlock Double Stare

Just as the songs start to get going, they're cut off.
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Sep 8, 2006 in Reviews: Electronica

Quinoline Yellow: Colour Index 47005

His production is impeccable, but stylistically he hasn’t progressed very far.
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Sep 5, 2006 in Reviews: Electronica

Quench: Caipruss

Traditional IDM with lots of texture and nuance.
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Aug 18, 2006 in Reviews: Electronica

Tatamax: Crasis

Fireside glitch relocated through urbanity and extreme noise.
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Aug 1, 2006 in Reviews: Electronica

SubtractiveLAD: Suture

SubtractiveLAD (née Stephen Hummel) is a Vancouver-based musician with a background in jazz.
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Feb 3, 2006 in Reviews: Electronica

Kero: Kerologistics

Interesting for its complexity.
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Oct 30, 2005 in Reviews: Electronica

Softland: War Againstt Error

Sometimes charming, other times grating.
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Aug 31, 2005 in Reviews: Electronica

Solarium: Olari

Layers of hi-fi electronics form subtle melodies.
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Jun 20, 2005 in Reviews: Electronica

Shapeshifter: Reticulum Flux

I can almost hear his computer overheating.
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May 23, 2005 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: Untilted

Stark algorithmic programming.
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May 10, 2005 in Reviews: Electronica

Upland: Obliterated

Upland ups the complexity.
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Dec 23, 2004 in Reviews: Electronica

Bola: Gnayse

Simplicity and drama.
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Dec 23, 2004 in Reviews: Electronica

Quantazelle: Coaster

Quantazelle: Coaster...
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Sep 28, 2004 in Reviews: Electronica

Soiled: Mindnumb

Noisy electronics and dirty beats.
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Sep 24, 2004 in Reviews: Electronica

Funcky

Funckarma’s Don Funcken.
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Jun 22, 2004 in Features: Interviews

N.ln: Astronomy for Children

Fresh and melodic.
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Jan 30, 2004 in Reviews: Electronica

Chris Clark: Empty the Bones of You

Snippets of melody intermingle with levels of texture.
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Sep 3, 2003 in Reviews: Electronica

Quinoline Yellow: Cyriack Parasol

Another solid Skam EP that leaves me thirsting for more.
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Aug 28, 2003 in Reviews: Electronica

Kiyo: Chaotech Odd Echo

There is a certain warmth, a nostalgia, behind Kiyo’s electronics.
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Aug 21, 2003 in Reviews: Electronica

Team Doyobi: "Mod Truckin' "

An unlikely combination of sounds.
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Aug 18, 2003 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: Well-Suited for General-Purpose Audio Work

There’s a glitchy Schematic aesthetic which borders on cold and clinical.
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Jun 23, 2003 in Reviews: Electronica

Nick Forte: Pasted Lakes

Even the more abstract compositions sound fresh and interesting.
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May 26, 2003 in Reviews: Electronica

Gescom: ISS:SA

Imagine a DJ mix chopped into hundreds of pieces.
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Apr 14, 2003 in Reviews: Electronica

Tadd Mullinix: Panes

Just when a track seems too self-indulgent or algorithmic...
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Jan 29, 2003 in Reviews: Electronica

Mira Calix: Skimskitta

It’s the textures that really make this worthwhile listening.
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Jan 4, 2003 in Reviews: Electronica

Dino Felipe: Xanaconversex

Dino Felipe: Xanaconversex...
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Nov 19, 2002 in Reviews: Electronica

Multiplex: Mixt

Multiplex: Mixt...
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Nov 10, 2002 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: Mancha de Platano

Various: Mancha de Platano...
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Sep 28, 2002 in Reviews: Electronica

Upland: Upland

Upland: Upland...
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Aug 29, 2002 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: Gantz Graf

Autechre: Gantz Graf...
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Aug 15, 2002 in Reviews: Electronica

Jello: "Chamchimzee"

Jello: “Chamchimzee”...
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Jun 4, 2002 in Reviews: Electronica

Pitch and Melody

Pitchcadet co-founder Aaron Tweedy (aka M-tec).
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Apr 19, 2002 in Features: Interviews

Markant: Vice Versa

Markant: Vice Versa...
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Feb 10, 2002 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: EP 7

Autechre: EP 7...
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Jan 8, 2002 in Reviews: Electronica

Richard Devine: Aleamapper

Richard Devine: Aleamapper...
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Jan 7, 2002 in Reviews: Electronica

Funkstorung: Vice Versa

Funkstörung: Vice Versa...
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Dec 17, 2001 in Reviews: Electronica

Aphex Twin: Drukqs

Aphex Twin: Drukqs...
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Nov 6, 2001 in Reviews: Electronica

Chris Clark: Clarence Park

Chris Clark: Clarence Park...
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Jul 2, 2001 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: House of Distraction

Various: House of Distraction...
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Jul 1, 2001 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: Confield

Autechre: Confield...
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Jun 1, 2001 in Reviews: Electronica

Richard Devine: Lipswitch

Richard Devine: Lipswitch...
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Feb 12, 2001 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: Peel Session 2

Autechre: Peel Session 2...
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Jan 25, 2001 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: Isophlux Records 1995-2000

Various: Isophlux Records 1995-2000...
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Sep 20, 2000 in Reviews: Electronica

M-tec: Slip Wish

M-tec: Slip Wish...
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Aug 23, 2000 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: Frente 57

Various: Frente 57...
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Jul 23, 2000 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: Lily of the Valley

Various: Lily of the Valley...
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May 13, 2000 in Reviews: Electronica

Twine/Horchata: Resource

Twine/Horchata: Resource...
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Feb 24, 2000 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: LP 5

Autechre: LP 5...
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Sep 6, 1999 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: Peel Session

Autechre: Peel Session...
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Apr 4, 1999 in Reviews: Electronica

M-tec: Data-life

M-tec: Data-life...
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Mar 25, 1999 in Reviews: Electronica

Accelera Deck: Conviction and Crack

Accelera Deck: Conviction and Crack...
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Mar 25, 1999 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: We Are Reasonable People

Various: We Are Reasonable People...
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Nov 1, 1998 in Reviews: Electronica

Various: Skampler

Various: Skampler...
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Mar 8, 1998 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: Envane

Autechre: Envane...
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Feb 22, 1998 in Reviews: Electronica

Aphex Twin: Come to Daddy

Aphex Twin: Come to Daddy...
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Nov 23, 1997 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: Chiastic Slide

Autechre: Chiastic Slide...
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Sep 21, 1997 in Reviews: Electronica

Autechre: Amber

Autechre: Amber...
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Jul 27, 1997 in Reviews: Electronica