| AUTECHRE
EP7 EP WARP, NOTHING RELEASE: JUNE 7, 1999 (EUROPE), JUNE 29, 1999 (NORTH AMERICA)REVIEW: JUNE 29, 1999 
Since they began making music some seven albums ago, Manchester duo Autechre have resided in a musical area that is largely their own. They have combined harsh and metallic, but yet funky, rhythms, sad and often psychedelic tunes and white noise, into some of the finest electronica of the last few years. Their new eleven track record, which they for some reason have chosen to call an EP, largely sticks to their beaten path. It has the trademark Autechre sounds and their very characteristic feeling of loneliness and total isolation. But at times it also sees them moving into the same spheres as The Aphex Twin did on his amazing "Windowlicker" single. A couple of the tracks sound remarkably alike the irrational electronic madness of the "Windowlicker" b-sides, and the beat of "Dropp" is actually dangerously close to "Windowlicker" itself. However, most of the other songs are perfect examples of what a great and original act Autechre is. "Outpt" is seven minutes of distorted funk, grey like concrete. "Maphive 6.1" has an impressive steel sounding rhythm. And the closing track "Pir" has one of the most beautiful melodies Autechre have written to this date, and would easily have fitted in on the fabulous 1997 album "Chiastic Slide". KRISTOFFER NOHEDEN |
  |