Let me just say right off, that I’m not the biggest fan of wordless Electronic music. At least not contemporary. I grow weary of it usually by the 3rd song into the album, and there’s usually not enough juice to fulfill my huger for harmony. This beast of a collection (and I do mean animal; the album cover is just so apropos after you take a listen) has probably become one of my favorites, though I didn’t really discover it until a few months after it was released in 2006.
What I realized halfway through the album, is that the reason I probably treated this album with more respect than other lyrically challenged Electronic albums, was the very evident influence of classical music themes and structure. I grew up listening and eventually studying classical music. It’s in my blood, and I naturally am drawn to it’s patterns and nuances.
Ratatat’s Tacobel Canon is 4 minutes and 30 seconds of heavy electro-infused raspiness; a full blend of the soft succession of organic hums and a completely satisfying backbeat. While the transitions are a bit clumsy at times, it’s obvious that the Canon is the unifying theme throughout.
Nostrand is a cracker jack. What begins as a simple, steady groove, smooth and melodic – becomes a different and entirely enjoyable snack all together. Again, there’s somewhat of a classical complexity that’s quite satisfying here. It would be nice if another 60 seconds were tacked on to this one
With a more cultural liquidity, Swisha bathes itself in an ethnic light. While I usually feel that these types of tunes usually begin to sound like something you’d hear in the lobby of the SoHo Grand circa 1999, this song has enough depth and complexity to keep me interested. Indian and Spanish influences have obviously been threaded into the vibe of the song, and as odd the combination sounds, it’s just a succession of rhythm modulations that completely propels Swisha through a variety of costume changes. But the magic carpet in the room is a goth-like character that carries the whole song out of the room.
The closest thing to lyrics would have to be portrayed in Loud Pipes. The guitars give you words and harmony that otherwise would be filled with banal lyrics that make up the songs meaning for you. It would probably make a great R&B song, in my opinion. But I don’t want to fuck it up. R&B is great and all, but this is such a smarter way to listen to the beats and not have to be inundated with bad references to cheating lovers or nights at the club.
Well, the Beatles seem to have made their mark on just about all genres, and Tropicana is a pretty obvious representation of what the Beatles might have produced if they had ever produced an Electronica album.
While I appreciate the effort, or perhaps joke of this whole song, it’s not a favorite of mine. Maybe because I feel like it’s a bit of a sell out, or maybe because I’m over the whole violin and piano staccato thing in songs in general. It’s a well-oiled machine of a song, complete with hissing pistons and the gratuitous tambourines, but perhaps it could have not stayed so true to the Beatles song recipe. I love the Beatles – but it’s all been done too many times and in too many ways for it to be original or musically interesting.
Hello Wildcat, you’re disco-licious.
This is a very fun album yet not over-bearing with the electronic passages. And yes, for those of you who are too cool to dance, it will certainly make you move.
Sorry.
