Menu | Rating System | Guest Book | Archived Reviews:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

         
       
         
 
Recording:
 

Micalavera

 
 
Artist:
  Damiak  
 
Label:
  n5MD  
 
Release Date:
  1.May.2007  
 
Reviewed by:
  Brett Spaceman  
         
 
Rating:
   
         
 
Review:
 

n5MD has become one of the most interesting labels around. Why? Because of their output. Put simply, they make interesting products. The lion's share of the n5MD roster could all claim to be IDM or downtempo, but yet somehow not quite. The mashes and cut ups are there, but mood, texture, and emotion remain the true objectives. This is why n5MD are so deserving of cult status. Already responsible for several bona fide classics such as Last Days' Sea, the label consistently manages to release works which arrow straight to the heart, rather than the head, or feet. We can be sure to experience an emotional response with these artists, be it tension, exhilaration or melancholy.

And such melancholy.

Where does Damiak (Mexico City born Abe Dichi) fit into this picture? I'd say in the middle, (wait for it…) without being "central". In having a distinctly modern approach to creating moving music, Damiak typifies the label ethos. Yet Damiak is also a slightly ragged and chaotic at times - a little on the edge. Somehow I love the curveballs this album throws me. Tall Hat Greeting begins a step away from label-mate Arc-Lab with its rain-splash keys. Surprise move #1 is the appearance of melodion (harmonium?). Surprise move #2: as this song enters its third minute, tension cranking up to almost unbearable levels, Damiak pulls away from the obvious, clichéd post-rock, ending and simply ends the track, segueing into the digitized piano meander, Iridescent wings. The whole album will continue to wrong-foot listeners in this way. Perhaps the corn-fed electronica contingent won't get Damiak for these reasons. Be warned then, Micalavera (my skeleton) won't hold your hand for this promenade.

The by-word seems to be "organic", but this album will always throw in a reminder of its synthetic heart if we try getting too cosy. The staggering Tepid coat feels like a return to the drama of Tall Hat Greeting - a dark IDM nursery rhyme or giddy fairground ride of a track. This time the pay off comes and our whirling carousel will eventually have screaming child passengers holding on for grim life. Extended Slide is an oddity. Seemingly aimless, Damiak suddenly throws in some squeaky violin not unlike the piercing work of A Silver Mount Zion. As I said earlier, it's a tad difficult to get a handle on where this is taking us. The following two pieces pile on further confusion as we hop from Cajun to baroque. Faificun is on hand to rescue us, mixing dynamics from Mogwai and New Order into its electronic pot. The drums almost sound live. I should know that they aren't, but it's a fine track, as is Step Behind the Yellow Line which follows.

As I reach the closing track Cualidades (which is achingly beautiful, by the way), I remain unconvinced of Damiak's intentions. Does he even know himself? Micalavera is a warm album punctuated with non-sequators, which will surely test the patience of the trigger-happy, remote control wielding "now"-generation. The fact that this record remains so exciting and impressive DESPITE its aimlessness suggests that far greater things are well within Damiak's grasp. For what this adds up to is one stunning (in places) nearly album, and I'd take that over any competent but average work any day of the week, thank you.

 
         
 
Related Links:
 

Label Site:http://www.n5md.com/
Band Website: http://www.damiak.com/
Band MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/damiak

 
         

Return to the top of this page. | Return to the Album Review menu.