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Recording:
  Granz Graf  
 
Artists:
  Autechre  
 
Label:
  Warp  
 
Release Date:
  6.August.2002  
 
Reviewed by:
  PostLibyan  
         
 
Rating:
   
         
 
Review:
 

A long time ago i ventured into the world of geekdom in quest of this EP. I got distracted, but eventually tracked down a copy. And so, this is the review i promised you, way back when in my Nona Delichas review. Better late than never, i suppose.

Autechre have decided that since their place in the pantheon of Electronic Music Gods is assured, they are going to go all out for experimentalism. That is to say, Autechre started off as kinda wierd, but since then mainstream music has embraced the glitchy beats they pioneered, so in order to stay relevant they are becoming even wierder.

Granz Graf is experimentalism in the sense that the artists apparently are really curious to not only see what they can do, but also to see what they can get away with. This EP has recieved rave reviews, and electonic music geeks online have discussed it in excrutiating detail.

And, on the one hand, i agree with the "group think" consensus: this music is pushing boundaries, and it sounds fresh, new, and pretty interesting. However, that is geek talk: the average human would be frightened and annoyed at this EP. Please note that the term "experimental" in music is an eltist term: this is not music for the masses. None of the songs on here will ever be played over the loudspeakers at a sporting event, or piped into a mall. The main audience for this is geeks (like myself) with too much time on their hands, and other electronic musicians who are short on inspiration.

That said, there are three tracks full of innovation and inspiration available here for any young electro composer who wishes to learn from them.

The first is Granz Graf itself. This is a tune built out of agressive beats, out of computer manipulated noisy percussion hits. They build into an oddly catchy syncopation, and then disintigrate into a clattering mettalic fury of beats.

Up next is Dial, which is an oddly catchy tune. It is a weird song with frentic beats, half-heard vocal samples, and waveringly distorted piano. Odd, and yet, it's kinda fun. That is what Autechre do best -- make you scratch your head in wonder, and yet keep you coming back for more. This song is complex, but still has a playful element to it. It's my favorite on this EP.

Finally, the EP ends with CapIV. This song features subdued piano and noise, and builds to a real cacophany. Again, it's interesting, kinda pretty at times, and very complex.

Overall, this is another fine Autechre release. It's about 20 minutes of very experimental electronica, which is the perfect length if you ask me. If you like Autechre's stuff, then this is a fine purchase. If you are one of the billions of music consumers who do not really care to have their boundaries pushed, then you probably want to pass on this one.

 
         
 
Related Links:
 

Autechre's Peel 2 EP, which is similarly forward-thinking.
Autechre in "concert".

 
         

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