Reduction makes good bonus
A. F. GILLITT | Alameda, CA | 05/04/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Anyone who knows the Art of Noise always holds their breath after a new album comes out, waiting for the best tracks to be repurposed and remixed into something else. After a lengthy hiatus, and with new bandmate Lol Creme, AON released 'the Seduction of Claude Debussy,' my pick for the best album of 1999. It combines slick beats and melodies with layers of interesting vocals from such divergent artists as rapper Rakim, BBC announcer John Hurt and opera singer Sally Bradshaw. This melange produced a densely layered look at the rise of Debussy and a less than subtle parallel to their own work.'Reduction' is a new EP that is being packaged with 'Seduction' in the UK. It contains 7 tracks, and a similar feel to 'Seduction.' Many of the themes are similar to counterparts on 'Seduction,' while being radically remixed and restructured. Other parts of 'Reduction' sound like they incorporate parts of songs not used on the full LP, including new rapping by Rakim. One track even incorporates a sample from their early 80's track 'Moments in Love.' The liner notes indicate whether the song is an extension or remix of existing materials or, in the case of 2 tracks, completely new. The tracks are dense- more noise than melody ... but that's not to say this ep is grating-- It's a disc that is made more accessible knowing other AON work. Whereas 'Seduction' is very carfully crafted and deserves to be called elegant, 'Reduction' is much more raw, avant-garde and challenging. But there are some clever turns and ideas evident on the disc.I like this disc a lot and it's seen a lot of time on my cd player since I got it, but I have been a fan of AON since 'Beat Box?' and 'Close (to the Edit).' This disc isn't for everyone, but if you got as much pleasure out of 'The Seduction of Claude Debussy' as I did, then you will also enjoy this EP. However, I was left wishing that this disc contained a little more new material, or something more different. I suppose this is why it is packaged with the 'Seduction' cd and not on its own. Those of you who don't know AON all that well would be well served by starting with copies of 'Seduction' and 'Daft.'"
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1