Like the last entry, this edition of Warped will also feature a bands slightly more mainstream take on their established sound, and again the album is slightly patchy in places with some gems within (though it's less patchy than
Mind Elevation). Most of the bad press seems to levelled against that fact, but I'm going to show you once again that a more mainstream approach isn't such a bad thing. Tune in this week, because it's Broadcast time again!
I prefer
Haha Sound's introduction to the one on
The Noise Made By People, their previous effort, it has that dreamy washed out quality to it right off the bat, which is something Broadcast consistently nail
There was a reason I said this LP has a *slightly* more mainstream take to the sound. Straight after the floaty intro it jarringly dumps you into this world of menacing electronics and imposing drums juxtaposed with the steady musings of Trish Keenan. And it's brilliant.
The cycle continues with this next track, with
Pendulum fading ever so gracefully into
Before We Begin, which sounds like a long lost record from the 60's; and that is pretty much Broadcast in a nutshell.
This is where the first "patch" as it were, occurs. The tracks aren't necessarily bad, they just... aren't anything special. Your patience is rewarded though, as as immediately afterwards you are treated to what is perhaps one of the band's best efforts.
Probably my overall favourite from this album, unlike most of their work it contains very little in the way of electronic effects, meaning that this track in particular sounds very crisp and all the other elements play into each other beautifully, all strung together by Keenan's unique voice.
Much like the above, though packing a bit more in the electronics department is
Winter Now bears a structure akin to a pop song, albeit with that slightly skewed trademark Broadcast sound to it. Which really shows itself in the last 30 seconds or so.
And finally, playing us out is the rather out of place
Hawk I was a bit unsure of this track at first (as I've already said it comes completley out of nowhere) but then those simple but oh so effective pads hit and I was in love, and I have grown to love the frantic rhythm in time as well. A fitting end? eh, sort of. An excellent track? Most Definitely
It will be a while before we see Broadcast's third (and ultimately, last) album. But we have more stuff from Squarepusher & Boards Of Canada to keep us occupied.
Until Then,
-Claude Van Foxbat
Pyramid released a new EP today. It's 10 tracks long, you can find some tracks that were already released on his soundcloud such as Space Odissey or The Race, and obviously a lot of new ones.
Lost In Space is a simply amazing, it gives an impressive look of what he's able to create, wonderful, deep yet dancy tunes... Welcome to Pyramid's universe. Beside having a nice taste for the artworks he uses on his covers, he has a very personal style, between ambient, soundtrack like music and 8bit / à la Danger synths.
It's a name your price release, so don't forget to grab it, and give him what you think his work is worth, it's important to help new artists.
