Random Circuits

This might be something of a stretch, to try and list albumt in a super subjective, ultra narrow sub-sub-sub genre that exists in my head only. But I’m going to give it a try. And why is that? Because it is some of my favorite type of “electronica”. It is the perfect music for home listening, ipod indulging and the soundtrack of you geeking it out. What is this mystery style then, what distinguishes it from the other easy going, laid back, no harm, dsp wankery, computer fiddle music? Difficult to answer. Crunchy is fucking vague, let’s agree about that. The beats often have a sort of oompf to them though, broken oompf with fresh sound - the patterns not often unlike hiphop variants. Ontop of this sometimes simple, sometimes intricate (pun intended) percussive foundation extraordinary sine waves of beauty, sadness, melancholy or darkness are layered and intertwined. The tempo tends to be hiphopish as well, quite relaxed and thus not suitable for dancing at all. Maybe for a lounge full of nerds. The blend and sum of this is sometimes staggering; rhythms and harmonies you’ve never dreamed of, but makes so much sense it almost hurts, suddenly strike you from all directions. After the obligatory build-up that is, yes patience is key. I don’t know where or what I heard first that I could categorize in this fictional compartment. Anyway if you have a tip or two that might fit this description, please drop a comment. Top five turned out to be a tight boundrary to stick to. I had quite a few nominees to these prestigeous and precious few spots.

Honorable mentions: Bitstream - One third standard lux, Seven Ark - Control and abuse, Boards of Canada - Geogaddi, Vector lovers - Capsule for one, Quench - Punctuated, Deceptikon - Lost subject.

5. Hp.Stonji - Melaina chloe [Spezial material, 2005]

The tempo on this album sometimes exceed what I’d call laidback, but hell it contains only good songs. Some of which fit my strange definition perfectly. The Swiss Spezial Material was a label I quickly got interested in, much thanks to Hp.Stonji and Intricate. Both of which seemed to produce releases of only the best quality. No weak spots to be found. Hp.Stonji is Hans Platzgumer & Jens Doering, the duo has released two albums. Melainca Chloe is packed with 14 songs, bonustracks, videos and programs. I first bought the Metic EP, which is just as good if not better - but it’s an ep so didn’t fit my title :-)
Hp.Stonji - Jedi

4. Greetings from Tuskan - Lullabies for the warriors [Iwari, 2006]

Seeing this album in place four is a testament to how fierce the competition was for this list. I absolutely and completely can’t resist this masterpiece. Lullabies for the warriors is the latest thing I’ve heard to fit the category. When I first managed to hear this I was utterly blown away. Sadly I have almost listened too much to it. Never the less, this is my preferred warrior soundtrack. Soft cushion warriors wielding bananas for swords that is.
Greetings from tuskan - Always I Will Love You-Always You

3. Intricate - In pectra [Spezial material, 2004]

Not only is this a magnificient album but it also contains some of my absolute favorite art-work. Look at the back of this CD. Ace design if I ever saw it. The motif fits the music so well, they enchance eachother. Intricate makes very dense music, packed with content, sound clicks, noises; always backed by a steady, hard and firm beat. For the first listen(s) this album may be a tad difficult to get into for some. I was not sold immediately. Some of the tracks sounds complex and chaotic, but when everything makes sense it is very rewarding. In pectra is the connecting piece of this made up genre to artists such as aphex, autechre and squarepusher. The music is mostly dark and forebrooding.
Intricate - Squirl

2. Seven Ark - Noise of the new [Neo Ouija, 2004]

Bought after only hearing a few quick samples off of Boomkat. When it arrived and got its turn on the player…love at first listen. No-brainer, instant pleasure for my ears. Everything was just so tight, every sound placed perfectly. Every melody like a wave of sonic bliss. I had not heard anything from 7A before and I was happily seduced. Neo Ouija is no longer, and for that I mourn. Always quality releases, although occassionally a bit too teethless. No bite. But Noise of the new contains plenty of that. Cut up, cut off, compressed, rough and jagged bits and pieces of sound fight against the bellowing, round, smooth, stretched and fine. It’s a grand battle to witness. 100% awesome release.
Seven Ark - Floor

1. Landau - Thepicompromise [Merck, 2004]

Sadly only 1000 copies of this rare CD album was (originally atleast) released. Merck is now defunct. Will we ever see a re-release of Thepicompromise? Time will tell, but I’m glad I did not hesitate one second to buy this diamond solid, 14 track strong outing. Not one single weak song during the 1 hour and 8 minutes that the album spans. Original sound textures, song structures, tempo shifts coupled with brilliant drum workings, alien melodies and powerful builds and releases. A pleasure to listen to, back to back, every time I put this on. If you manage to dig this up anywhere, lay down the cash and pick it up. No regrets, I promise. Excellent artwork seals the deal for the ultimate Crunchy Laidback Electronic Album of all times!
Landau - Oustduo
(After the 2min mark = outstanding)

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