Looking for a little adventure, electronica style? Try British duo Magnetophone's I Guess Sometimes I Need to Be Reminded of How Much You Love Me--a twisted, symphony of distorted bleeps, hypnotic drones, and melodic bl... more »oops. Matt Saunders and John Hanson have previously released seven-inches on the esteemed Earworm label; their music is atmospheric and textural, but made with a definite (if deeply submerged) pop sensibility. --Mike McGonigal« less
Looking for a little adventure, electronica style? Try British duo Magnetophone's I Guess Sometimes I Need to Be Reminded of How Much You Love Me--a twisted, symphony of distorted bleeps, hypnotic drones, and melodic bloops. Matt Saunders and John Hanson have previously released seven-inches on the esteemed Earworm label; their music is atmospheric and textural, but made with a definite (if deeply submerged) pop sensibility. --Mike McGonigal
"Magnetophone, one of 4AD's latest signings after the departure of label chief Ivo Watts-Russell, specialize in a low-key brand of sonic noodling. Their first full album, I GUESS SOMETIMES I NEED TO BE REMINDED OF HOW MUCH YOU LOVE ME, is a unique achievement, but one that certainly wouldn't appeal to everyone.Eschewing traditional instruments in favour of all manner of old electronic equipment, Magnetophone produce a fuzzy, vocal-less noise pop that seeks to answer the question "What is music?" While many of the songs here are unlistenable, other tracks such as "Oh Darlin'" and "Milk of the Commander" capture the listener's attention well. The album is all the more enjoyable to long-time 4AD fans because some of the tracks, especially "Frankenholmes Drive," evoke memories of the "Early Works" of Warren Defever (His Name is Alive).I GUESS... is not for everyone. In fact, I suspect a lot of people will despair of 4AD because of it, but I'm glad to see a release this original. The album is all the more enjoyable because of the remarkable design by v23, which uses an envelope instead of a booklet in the CD case and whose back insert is only half-size."
Not for everyone, but patience is rewarded
Christopher Culver | 11/22/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD will definitely not appeal to all, but it does something most music doesn't even try to do these days: experiment. Magnetophone are never going to fit in anywhere--neither as "electronica," nor as "avant-garde," but this bizarre exploration of the limits of what music can actually be is worth a listen. There's not much point, either, in comparing it to Aphex Twin, My Bloody Valentine with more keyboards, etc. 4AD took a real chance here, and continues a great tradition of signing superior instrumental acts."
One of the 3 best albums of 2000
Gabriel V. Delsaz | Miami, FL USA | 01/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Magnetophone has to be the most underappreciated, underrated group making music today. Next to Grandaddy's "The Software Slump" and Doves' "Lost Souls" this stands as one of the 3 finest albums to come out this year. It genuinely pains me that such musical brilliance goes largely ignored and relegated to "quirky, left-of-center" status. In reality, this is a collection of 13 tracks which display a melodic genius on the part of their creators. It may sound like generic electronica to the casual listener, but listen for a few moments and you will hear brilliant, wonderful melodies played through avant-garde musical sensibilities. If you are musically adventurous and want to hear the best music of the last year, give this album a try."
Somewhere between autechre and brothomstates
bowery boy | seattle | 11/23/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"magnetophone live in their own universe.
i guess sometimes i need to be reminded of how much you love me confidently skips, pulsates, fizzes and vibrates along lead by a barage of very self assured beats, sonic walls of sound and melancholy melodies. tracks are anywhere between 6 to 9 minutes long with a few 2-3 minute long snippets thrown in for good measure. oh darlin is a brilliant and lovely opener which then segues into the sonic bliss of frankholmes drive. melodies and drum beats are heavily buried under the sounds but they're there. one of my particularly favorite tracks is why stop when it feels so good? but at 9+ minutes it meanders along for far too long and doesn't quite go anywhere but it's a nice ride and definitely lives up to its title. grateful aren't we?, so much as to hold my hand and the emotional closer love needs you are all definite stand out tracks for me.
the album art is interesting too. the cover is actually a slip case too small for the CD to fit in but when you open it to try to fit the disc in, there's a photograph of a very angry looking woman with a blonde flip gazing at her reflection in a mirror. very clever.
this is very emotional electronic music with an edge. it really touched me. reserve a space of time to sit back, relax, and immerse yourself with a really good pair of headphones. it gets to you, as much as you don't want it to."
Brilliant, Bold and Beautiful
Bren Bataclan | San Francisco, CA | 02/05/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"One of the best recent 4ad releases! Though it took me a while to appreciate the album, it was worth the patience. Don't expect the usual dance or ambient stuff, this is experimental at its best!! If you are a fan of the label and electronic music, this may be what you have been waiting for--great combination! The packaging of the cd is also quite innovative."