The more experimental end of electronic music is too often
associated with dour asceticism; if it's serious, it better not be much
fun. But Jan St. Werner and Andi Toma have never bought that notion; their
work with Mouse On Mars is both light-hearted and technically adventurous.
They show up all over this vocal-free collection in various guises, giving
free range to their outward-bound impulses. But this isn't some vanity project; they share disc space with a like-minded assortment of German sound sculptors.
At one extreme C-Schulz &
Hajsch turn in a blend of modern static assault and good old-fashioned
musique concrète and Vert juxtaposes digital peeps, distant clattering
beats, and half-remembered piano meanderings. At the other are excursions
into tweaked pop like Wang Inc's "2 on a 3 (Love Song)," which essays a
cheerful stroll tailor-made for that Teletubbies episode where Tinky Winky
shows up in bondage gear ready to show his fellows a brand new game only to
be sidelined when La La discovers that lube on your feet makes a tumble
down the hill that much more fun. In between are undulating soundscapes,
backed-up beats, and swirling glass-blown melodies -- serious fun!
If you like this album, check out:
Mouse On Mars Niun Niggung
Andrea Parker Kiss My Arp
Oval Systemisch
The Pastels Illuminati
Microstoria Init Ding
To Rococo Rot The Amateur View
Nobukazu Takemura Scope
