The Letter - album reviews

Shed - The Killer

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 06:00:00 +0000

In the face of stiff competition from the likes of Delta Funktionen, Silent Servant, Peter Van Hoesen, Barker & Baumecker, Juju & Jordash and Mike Dehnert, third album The Killer from Shed is a surprisingly strong contender in the race for best Techno album this year.

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Delta Funktionen - Traces

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:40:00 +0000

I wish I had more time to write album reviews, because I'd like to think that what I'd write about Delta Funktionen's debut album Traces would make you go out and buy it immediately. In short, it's one of those rare things, and amazing album with no filler, just nine essential tracks.

If you're still not convinced, here's a couple of reviews:

Jim Byrne - The Innocent

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Regular readers might know that I mostly listen to electronic music, anything from Electro to Techno to House. Quite a change from twenty years ago, when all I listened to was “indie” bands like Pavement, Sebadoh, Pixies, Throwing Muses and Screaming Trees. Now and again though, an amazing new album from a guitar-based band will cross my radar, and I'm hooked.

You will be too.

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Tiger & Woods - Through The Green

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 06:48:00 +0000

The debut album Through The Green from disco-loving duo Tiger & Woods is an absolute surprise and a pleasure.

The cut-up vocals throughout immediately bring to mind the edited sounds of The Field, but the big beats and funky disco rhythms bring a whole new dimension to this cut-and-paste approach. The insistent repetition that makes up Time is the perfect example to illustrate the duo's alliance with Axel Willner.

It's not all cut-up vocals and big beats though, there's some really great melodies, in particular the whistling refrain in Love In Cambodgia, the R&B vocal in Curb Your Heart and the bass line in Gin Nation.

On the whole, it's a very optimistic and appealing sound and I recommend that you buy the album.

Gusgus Arabian Horse

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:10:00 +0000

I admit, I've been a closet Gusgus fan for a while, even though I've never owned any of their albums. And it was thanks to the free track from FACT magazine that spurred me onto picking up their recent album Arabian Horse.

Released on Kompakt, their eighth (or ninth?) album is simply ten tracks of sheer brilliance. There's a lovely throbbing element to their sound, which is melodic and well produced. Most songs bring surprises in some guise (accordian anyone?), but what really makes it work is the range of quality vocalists. It's difficult to choose a highlight.

This is slowly becoming my favourite album of recent months.