This
much-championed but seldom seen sequel to Electro Harmonix takes the
project further, much further. The time around we get pixilated gatefold
packaging from Harvest/EMI Electrola depicting a hallway from who
knows where. Leave it to the masters to release it on a poorly distributed
(obscure?) label and to confuse you with distorted Polaroids! Onward...to
the sounds. Don't be fooled by the title of track 1, "Static Soul."
This track shares very little with track 2 of the same name on Slow
& Low. This Static Soul captures the spirit of any good Cocteau Twins
song with loops of distant female vocals and a good blend of life-like
percussion warm-ups. A great intro track. Next, "Interscape" pulls
you in further with some backwards percussion, a dreamy aural cloud
for background, and a nice complex and rapidly wiggling solo segment.
This disc is bulging at the seams with weird little computer noises
and whirling wind-tunnels blowing tunes right through you. Track 4,
"Overstone," is really the only track that somewhat resembles the
first album's sound, to me. People who liked Slow & Low, Flowerhead,
or MU are bound to enjoy this disc. 8 solid tracks, each of which
have something quite unique. My personal favorite is track 6, "Macsquid,"
which seems to embody most of the qualities I appreciate in a Tetsu
track: backwards-sounding melody loops, lumbering yet subtle rhythms,
and synths that rip holes in the fabric of the ambience.
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