It sounds very similar to Autechre’s late 1990s glitch techno, but despite having a fair batch of glitch-y, harsh drums and lots of rhythmic, metallic swooshes, it’s far more accessible than any of Ae’s late nineties work IMO. The modular/experimental timbre Devine is known for is still very much present here, but it doesn’t overwhelm the melodic core of the record, providing some of the best ambient/melodic IDM/glitch techno that manages to be both hard-hitting as well as melodically lush. Excellent stuff. The third track is particularly amazing.
It’s probably one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever heard. I love the movie and I adore the music. There is this ethereal quality to it that takes the Michael Mann movie to another level. It’s too bad neither the film nor the soundtrack has gotten any proper release so far.
Although it sounds admittedly more professional than Jenssen’s debut album, it is also timbrally a lot more conventional. It might have been groundbreaking at the time of its release, but on the whole, some of the tracks here have a fairly familiar, computer-game vibe to them. Decryption kinda sounds like it could be used in one of C&C games. With that being said, there is a nice selection of very nice, hard-hitting ambient techno. SETI Project, The Shield and Novelty Waves are my favorites. Microgravity is still a superior record though.
For the past few months I’ve gotten into Electronica music courtesy of Eastern Bloc Records in Manchester. Really enjoying Com Truise, Pepe Bradock etc. Bought three albums on vinyl the other day - The Magreban - 01DEAS, Mosam Howieson - Napalm and a EP by Anthony Naples. I’m on an all you can eat data mobile plan for Soundcloud with Three so kicking the hell out of this!!
Definitely do check it out. I must say that while I merely like his earlier stuff, his new album is really something special. His style has evolved and suffice to say, I’m much more interested in what he puts out next. Iteration a bit more hi-fi than Galactic Melt or In Decay, but as for pure synthesis, mixing and song writing, Iteration is a next level record, so to speak. It really transcends the synthpop category and when you listen to it, it’s because it’s a terrific release and not because it simply happens to be “a good synthpop album” if you know what I mean.
Be sure to check out his Wave 1 EP as well. It compiles his experimentation with drum & bass (he used to be a drum & bass guy, so it figures) and electro genres in addition to his usual synthwave vibes. More syncopated and kinda more detailed, excellent stuff overall.
Spaghetti Western soundtrack wise I’ve got the GDM 4119 Hillside series “They Call Me Hallelujah / The Return of Hallelujah” CD on in the car at the moment. I like this it’s a bit quirky and very catchy.
Last year I spent a small fortune on a whole load of SW soundtracks - mostly on CD. My soundtrack collection went from approx 15 CDs (mostly compilations) to probably between 40-50 titles now. One of my favourites is Navajo Joe which I ended up getting 2 copies of (different versions).
The Hillside soundtrack series is really good and I was trying to get some out the out of print titles from Discogs.
I’m giving my wallet a break for now!!! (Blue Ray film pre-releases apart)
No doubt spending will commence again in the next few months…
While I sort of disliked Party People and Keion EPs from this guy, this release sounds and feels different. Much less repetitive and timbrally more exciting. Overall a solid EP.
A timeless masterpiece. When I first listened to it for the first time like 5 years ago or so, I thought it was just fine, but now I was astonished at how much I loved this record this time around, one of my all-time favorites for sure. I thoroughly cherished the analog texture in its full glory and the sophistication of the instrumentation which dexterously blends tribal elements with classical 1980s ambient. The Berlin school influences, which sometimes manifest themselves in an excessively heavy-handed manner on his first two albums, are still apparent here and there, but they never overwhelm the overall ambient flavor of this record which is absolutely languorous, sensuous and truly beautiful. I still adore Structures from Silence for its minimal simplicity as well as its luscious sound (it might be the warmest, most analog album I’ve ever listened to - a pure earcandy, kind of makes you feel as though you were wearing a comfy sweater), but in terms of pure variety, Dreamtime Return is a way more sophisticated and expansive release. Heck, the mere fact that this ambient album keeps your attention for 2 effing hours is truly astonishing and a real testament to Roach’s capabilities as a musician and a composer.
