Search - Dat Politics :: Plugs Plus

Max/msp yr pillow fight

Phil Avetxori | 10/12/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The white noise shenanigans the kidbleclesser tinker toy tantrum electrobreaks scene, while a much needed raspberrry in the face(less) of overserious austerity in electronic music, can border on the inane. Like fellow toybox raiders in Cologne's A-Musik scene, certain cheekier members of the U.K.'s original "IDM" clique, and the rough and tumble digital dadaists in Vienna's Mego posse, these California laptop abusers have helped keep the smeared fingerprints of human quirks in a musical medium that's often, and unfairly, stereotyped as impersonal. The group of musicians centered around Kid 606's Tigerbeat6 label gleefully mash up distorted breakbeats, New Wave/synthpop elements, glitch, dsp meltdowns, and guerilla remixes. What one often misses in this music, is the otherworldly prismatic sweeps of Autechre and Vladislav Delay. As of late, some of the musicians working within this aesthetic have begun to find their own sense of grace within its cut n' paste, frayed edges, and gleeful tweaks.
DAT Politics are from France, but like Germany's Chicks on Speed (who both designed the cover of "Plugs plus", and released it on their label), they're more likely to be found in the middle of a food fight, than with their noses stuck in "A Thousand Plateauxs". The now-familiar sound of archaically twee synthesizers and dry drum machines run through the digital wringer is executed with the requisite wide-eyed enthusiasm and juvenile joy in making some... noise. Vocals abound, sung by likeminded guests such as Matmos, Felix Kubin, and Blectum from Blechdom. The latter pair feature on "Pie", an infectious indie pop tune reconfigured as digital Merz collage, while Matmos made me both grin and roll my eyes with their hyper-silly turn in "Pass Our Class". Bursts of noise and sudden cuts are the order of the day (with a side of noodles, peppers, and, of course, that tasty pie), but these French chefs know a thing or two about presentation, hitching their outbursts to rolling rhythms and catchy melodies. With all the insanity on display, DAT politics don't forget to leave a little breathing room, and the temptation to sonic density overload is thankfully averted. "Plugs Plus" is that rare album that will go over equally well with your IDM dork buddies and that cute girl in the tight thrift store t-shirt. At the end of the day, what more could you ask for?"

Laptop-glitch-IDM-pop that's not just for devotees

Josh Strawn | Roanoke, VA USA | 05/18/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When Aphex Twin presented the world with the Richard D. James album, he posed a question--a challenge really--can anybody else do this? Can anybody else make sonically mind-blowing electronic music that maximizes sonic innovation and listenability at the same time? Nobody has stepped to the plate until lately. Don't get me wrong, I love Kid 606, Autechre, Fennesz, and their ilk as much as the next cat. But this is different--DAT Politics is pure pop--not pure pop in the sense that NSYNC is-- but pure pop that brims and buzzes with the vitality and melody of the music that runs through your head when you're a kid jumping on the bed when you're not supposed to. The melodies are catchy and irresistable. If ever there was a glitch pop party record, this is it. Rank it in with not only the best of the year, but the best of the genre. And keep your eyes on Mum from Iceland if you aren't already..."