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Autechre |OT|
- Thread starter Alex Connolly
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Poimandres
Member
I've only listened to this album a couple of times, but already I'm prepared to declare it my favourite Autechre release since Untilted.
I get a bit of an EP7 vibe from this release. Lots of demented hip-hop vibes, and I love the sense of "space" this album has. Someone said the reverb on a lot of the tracks almost sounds like they are trying to recreate the feel of their livesets, and I can see where they are coming from. If I close my eyes and listen I can imagine this playing out in some decrepit warehouse.
I get a bit of an EP7 vibe from this release. Lots of demented hip-hop vibes, and I love the sense of "space" this album has. Someone said the reverb on a lot of the tracks almost sounds like they are trying to recreate the feel of their livesets, and I can see where they are coming from. If I close my eyes and listen I can imagine this playing out in some decrepit warehouse.
umop_3pisdn
Member
As is often true with Autechre, the last track is the best (or one of the best). YJY UX all day every day.
I'll have to listen to it more to rank it, but pretty much everything from Confield era Autechre onwards has been amazing (except for maybe Draft 7.30) so they're getting harder to rank. One thing I really liked about Oversteps and Move of Ten was the spaciness. It kind of reminds me of Debussy, in that there's this feeling of sound spilling out into a boundless void (or maybe that's just me). It wouldn't be right to call the effect 'lonely feeling' because it goes beyond that, and there's just something about it that crawls inside me and doesn't want to leave. An earlier example of an album that had a similar feeling to me is Chiastic Slide. There was also a kind of bare-bones simplicity to tracks like redfall and Yuop that gave this kind of lingering power. Exai is more complex and I think that's a strength, and it also seems more subtle in many ways, but in some ways it also seems less frank (I'm not sure if that is the right word), but in practice that may just mean that I find the ability to evoke emotion a little less obvious or deliberate. Any way I look at it my impressions so far have been that it's a remarkable release.
I'll have to listen to it more to rank it, but pretty much everything from Confield era Autechre onwards has been amazing (except for maybe Draft 7.30) so they're getting harder to rank. One thing I really liked about Oversteps and Move of Ten was the spaciness. It kind of reminds me of Debussy, in that there's this feeling of sound spilling out into a boundless void (or maybe that's just me). It wouldn't be right to call the effect 'lonely feeling' because it goes beyond that, and there's just something about it that crawls inside me and doesn't want to leave. An earlier example of an album that had a similar feeling to me is Chiastic Slide. There was also a kind of bare-bones simplicity to tracks like redfall and Yuop that gave this kind of lingering power. Exai is more complex and I think that's a strength, and it also seems more subtle in many ways, but in some ways it also seems less frank (I'm not sure if that is the right word), but in practice that may just mean that I find the ability to evoke emotion a little less obvious or deliberate. Any way I look at it my impressions so far have been that it's a remarkable release.
OK after listening a few more times to Exai. I am of the opinion that this album is S T R A N G E.
The second disc in particular is quite peculiar. Cloudline. What the hell is going on in that track? What were they smoking? deco Loc, nodezsch. The melodies are so alien. The composition is bizarre.
I think this is like a reverse Autechre album in that it starts off accessible but gets more befuddling the more you listen to it. You think you've got it all figured out but then you suddenly realise you're not in kansas anymore.
I think this is Autechre's sgt pepper album. Pure psychedelica.
The second disc in particular is quite peculiar. Cloudline. What the hell is going on in that track? What were they smoking? deco Loc, nodezsch. The melodies are so alien. The composition is bizarre.
I think this is like a reverse Autechre album in that it starts off accessible but gets more befuddling the more you listen to it. You think you've got it all figured out but then you suddenly realise you're not in kansas anymore.
I think this is Autechre's sgt pepper album. Pure psychedelica.
Poimandres
Member
The album is having a bit of this effect on me! It seemed almost approachable at first, but now that I'm paying more attention to the composition of the songs they are indeed rather bizarre, even by Autechre's standards.
Poimandres
Member
What was the last release of theirs you enjoyed?
I doubt they will ever go back to the old style.
umop_3pisdn
Member
Their ambient work will always seem evocative of their older style to me! Granted I have a preference for their newer work so I may not really get it.
D
Deleted member 22576
Unconfirmed Member
Oh wow! Gonna listen tonight. Had no idea about this, what a mic surprise. Also a great coincidence because I've been on a huge autechre kick lately.
Poimandres
Member
Pretty much everything since Confield has been decidedly more obscure than their early works, in my opinion.
I call it the "dad test". My dad really loved Autechre but fell off the wagon around the time of LP5. I try to make him listen to anything released after that, but it just doesn't agree with him.
Gaylord Sweetwood
Member
Yeah same boat for me. As was said they probably will never do a throwback other than maybe some more archive tracks a la Oval Moon (which I would welcome).
umop_3pisdn
Member
That's true. I did listen to their discography more or less chronologically, my intense obsession with their earlier work is what broadened my tastes to appreciate their later work. Though I do think Oversteps is pretty reminiscent of their earlier stuff in a way.
You know I do wonder about this. I remember when Draft and Untitlted came out, all the reviewers and message boards at first were saying how they were more accessible than the last album, how autechre had found their groove again and had reverted back to their old selves.
I listen to those albums now and think what were they on about (I admit I was kind of fooled too), Draft is far more difficult than Confield and Untilted is more intricate and complex.
Maybe one day I will listen to Quaristice and Oversteps and have the same realisation. I mean Quaristice does have some pretty bizarre compositions of its own and Oversteps is a tricky one because all the complexity has gone into the melodic lines rather than the rhythms and I think that has thrown people. It has loads of interplay, plays around with counterpoint and tonality and yet people see it as being more straightfoward because of the lack of complex drum-like rhythm.
Ultimately the illusion is there because the jump from LP5 to Confield was so unexpected and no album since has given that surprise. I'm not sure any album ever will again because Autechre are now famous for their abstractness, and so can never really surprise us in the same way.
But yes in reality, after repeated listens maybe they are actually getting more obscure without us realising it at first.
One thing I am sure of now is that Exai is off-the-wall-bat-shit-crazy!
Poimandres
Member
I felt that way about Oversteps, but it was still too strange or something for my dad. I think it's pretty melodic personally, but clearly I've gone too far off the deep end to relate to most people!
For those pining for a return to the old days, have a listen to this Japan exclusive bonus track from Tri Rep: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MynH0xd8WTs&feature=player_embedded
boredofcanada
Member
Exai is one of their classics. Return to form, for sure.
Exai is a lot to take in. I think I finally got my head around the first disc, and I quite like it! I like the flow of disc 1, especially the way the first track segues into the 2nd track, which then drops a catchy-ass melody a few minutes in, then goes into three shorter pieces that just get better and better the more you hear them. I've seen the word "subtle" used a couple of times, and it definitely is. I was worried they reverted back to their Draft 7.30 sound (couple of minutes of pleasurable music, then four minutes of beat-fuckery per track) but this isn't the case. The melody and ambiance is still there, but you have to work for it. And Bladelores is epic. The track itself, the name, it's just a great track.
Now to get my head around disc 2...
Now to get my head around disc 2...
Actually the album it is really starting to remind me of is Draft. Just much improved. Better production and atmosphere. Less forced and show-offy. More layers. More interesting, subtle composition.
Draft always felt like their ideas album to me. So much imagination, but I dont know, I feel a bit empty when I listen to it sometimes, it just feels forced and dry.
Exai has the same level of imagination, but is enjoyable and musical at the same time.
boredofcanada
Member
bump.
Alex Connolly
Member
I still keep hearing some classic sounds on Exai that I've not heard from ae in years. Some tracks on the second disc have this inference of those phased overhead synths from Amber, of all releases!
Alex Connolly
Member
My God...
1 1 is...that ending! It's cyborg zen. And here we were, thinking on first listen "Yeah, we got this." Really discovering some terrific compositions within each track.
1 1 is...that ending! It's cyborg zen. And here we were, thinking on first listen "Yeah, we got this." Really discovering some terrific compositions within each track.
Karma Kramer
Banned
This album is serious business
Karma Kramer
Banned
Damn so much good music I have never heard before. Was awesome.
ThePeoplesBureau
Member
Alex Connolly
Member
Good man! I was just about ask for 'em!
Dr Zhivago
Member
CD turned up today. \o/
Bladelores is epic, but I'm also liking T ess xi. (Is there a pronounciation guide for these tracks :O )
Bladelores is epic, but I'm also liking T ess xi. (Is there a pronounciation guide for these tracks :O )
Alex Connolly
Member
I wouldn't be surprised if T ess xi is pronounced "Tessie", going by the Cichlisuite/Sickly Sweet paradigm.
They're a crazy and very rewarding duo to follow, regarding discography and direction!
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1 1 is ...goddamn, that ending. I still cannot get over that cyborg zen back-end on this track. Adore it.
ThePeoplesBureau
Member
I got the pre-release digital version of Exai, and it pretty much soundtracked a recent trip to Iceland. We did a lot of touring around/driving, and seeing the epic volcanic landscape sprawl out to the sound of Autechre's particular brand of electronic lush-ness ensured that the album is forever seared into my memory banks as being associated with some great memories.
Alex Connolly
Member
That's awesome. I love it when albums do that. It wasn't at release, but EP7 was my soundtrack to my couple of years in central China. That, and Machinedrum's Syndrone side project. Very apt. Chunky, grungy, dirty, ever-moving.
ThePeoplesBureau
Member
Some of the pics I took while there. Gives a better idea of why Exai worked so well ^_^
*56k WARNING!!*
*56k WARNING!!*
Alex Connolly
Member
Alex Connolly
Member
Trimmed the OP and updated with relevant details.
Alex Connolly
Member
Hmmm. Probably LP5. It's a good transitional LP for them between the old ae and the new. You've got EP7 thereafter, then Confield - which I think needs the LP5 primer. Everything after that? Pretty out there.
All of their stuff is pretty timeless. Amazing that Incunabula is twenty years old this year.
Cool, thanks. I'll give 'em a listen tomorrow and then come back and share my thoughts.
Alex Connolly
Member
Cool. Looking forward to reading your thoughts!
umop_3pisdn
Member
Autechre EPs are always magical. I mean so are their albums, but their general standard of quality condensed into a smaller format is like a recipe for unerring success.
Alex Connolly
Member
Still can't pick a favourite EP.
I return with good impressions. I actually didn't find LP5 as hard to get into as I expected to, although I might be a bit more receptive to this sort of thing than a random person on the street.
Anyway, I've listened to LP5 twice and quite enjoyed it both times. I find the contrasting reviews you mentioned in the first post, It being varied versus not being varied, kind of funny, because it's... sort of both. The songs are all made up of similar building blocks, with their robotic synths and such, but they pull a lot of different textures out of them. Comes off as consistent but varied, I guess. I've listened to half of EP7, but haven't had the chance to listen to the whole thing yet. Seems a little bit more abrasive, but also good.
Could totally see how people could be turned off by this music, though. If you're not paying attention it could basically sound like a bunch of random robot noises.
Basically any artist that references Yellow Magic Orchestra is okay in my book.
Anyway, I've listened to LP5 twice and quite enjoyed it both times. I find the contrasting reviews you mentioned in the first post, It being varied versus not being varied, kind of funny, because it's... sort of both. The songs are all made up of similar building blocks, with their robotic synths and such, but they pull a lot of different textures out of them. Comes off as consistent but varied, I guess. I've listened to half of EP7, but haven't had the chance to listen to the whole thing yet. Seems a little bit more abrasive, but also good.
Could totally see how people could be turned off by this music, though. If you're not paying attention it could basically sound like a bunch of random robot noises.
Basically any artist that references Yellow Magic Orchestra is okay in my book.
Alex Connolly
Member
I return with good impressions. I actually didn't find LP5 as hard to get into as I expected to, although I might be a bit more receptive to this sort of thing than a random person on the street.
Anyway, I've listened to LP5 twice and quite enjoyed it both times. I find the contrasting reviews you mentioned in the first post, It being varied versus not being varied, kind of funny, because it's... sort of both. The songs are all made up of similar building blocks, with their robotic synths and such, but they pull a lot of different textures out of them. Comes off as consistent but varied, I guess. I've listened to half of EP7, but haven't had the chance to listen to the whole thing yet. Seems a little bit more abrasive, but also good.
Could totally see how people could be turned off by this music, though. If you're not paying attention it could basically sound like a bunch of random robot noises.
Basically any artist that references Yellow Magic Orchestra is okay in my book.
Great stuff. Glad you dig the ae sound. It'd be interesting to read what you reckon of their releases between the debut Incunabula and Chiastic Slide, the LP prior to LP5. I really love those early albums. Great sound, particularly Tri Repetae and Chiastic Slide.
Keep us up to date with your views!
Definitely will keep you guys posted!
The cruel irony of EP7 is that I was all "Oh, this is only an EP? Cool, I'll listen to it real quick before I do some other stuff". Then I look at the tracklisting and realize it's an hour long. -_-
Poimandres
Member
Autechre just did a big Q&A thing over on this forum for 3 days: http://forum.watmm.com/topic/81109-aaa-ask-autechre-anything-sean-and-rob-on-watmm/
It's very cool to see Sean and Robb just chatting with people about all kinds of stuff. Very down to earth.
It's very cool to see Sean and Robb just chatting with people about all kinds of stuff. Very down to earth.
Fried Food
Banned
I love Autechre. Exai is soo good.
Dr Zhivago
Member
That WATMM Q+A is interesting. I thought his reply to the Metroid Prime question was a joke, but they are both credited in it:
http://forum.watmm.com/topic/41079-autechre-credited-in-metroid-prime/
http://forum.watmm.com/topic/41079-autechre-credited-in-metroid-prime/
Poimandres
Member
Autechre are selling mastered soundboard recordings from 4 shows from last year. They are pretty great, especially Dublin imo. This may as well be a new album, because it's all new material: https://autechre.bleepstores.com/
Hopefully further live sets will follow!
Hopefully further live sets will follow!
Jelly Rajah
Banned
They've uploaded a few more for sale.
torre_avenue
Banned
This might be as good a place as any to ask, but which albums would you recommend for a newbie to get into Autechre?
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