Oceanic oldschool
0=0 | Earth | 03/02/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Subtracks" took a few listens to warm up to, and I was glad to have read some reviews to mentally prepare myself for my first listen. Lately, I'm noticing a trend where innovators who took the electronic music genre far into the future, are sort of retreating back to a simpler style, using a more hand's-on approach. This was the case with the last Squarepusher, AFX and Mu-ziq full lengths, and the same is true with Massonix, who is Graham Massey of 808 State.
While 808 State always used a wide array of synths and drum machines, their production and sound got bigger, more complex and more state of the art with each release. "Subtracks" takes the classic 808 State sounds back below the surface again. I've grown to enjoy this full length greatly, but at first, some of the synths and beats came off as kind of primitive and cheezy, even. Still, there is a nice, full bass sound throughout, and a good system is highly recommended here. There are some fine, "aquatic" atmospheres going on and some bright, chirpy melodies reminiscent of early Plaid or Black Dog. Clicking, clacking and ticking drum machine rhythms and beats abound with some acid squelches thrown in for good measure. There is a playful and adventurous musicality here that only folks like Graham Massey could get from such electronic boxes and gadgetry. Check out the liner notes to see what I mean. This one might take a couple of listens to start to truly appreciate. True techno and electronic music heads should dig this if given a chance."
Ultramarine... and weird
Joseph Geni | Evanston, Illinois United States | 03/26/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"How exactly to define this perplexing record Massonix has given us from the depths of the deep blue?
Since 808 State's last album Outpost Transmission was--to the extent that it was anything at all--a strange, synthetic broadcast from somewhere in deep space, it seems only natural that Massonix, 808 frontman Graham Massey's alter ego, should embark on his first solo release with a deep-sea themed adventure.
More appropriately still, given Outpost Transmission's general bizarreness, Subtracks is like nothing of this earth. It appears to be, excluding the occasional live percussive riff or vintage Massey sax snippet, almost entirely composed of synthesizers, and not the familiar kind. For a water-themed record, the compositions are startlingly sparse and alien, not to mention utterly devoid of the organic grittiness and rhythmic energy that defined 808 recordings in the mid-90s. It isn't beat-laden enough to be techno and it isn't ambient enough to be ambient. To the extent there is any explanation at all for why this record exists or what you should do with it, it can be found in the amusing journal entries from Massonix's underwater adventures, one of which accompanies each track on the record. Parts of it--particularly the parts with liberal use of synth steel drums--are very Outpost reminiscent. (See track 11, the Subatlantian, which sounds like a downright Outpost outtake.) Other parts sound like Newbuild on Pro Tools: delightfully dated synths minus the lo-fi charm. Somehow it all holds together and has a sense of electro-humor about itself.
Subtracks is far more accessible than it should be--credit that to to the ever-talented Massey--and it's delightfully weird, but except for 808 diehards I'm not sure how well it will fly with the average listener. This album is likable but doesn't leap into your heart the way Don Solaris, Ex:El, 90 or Newbuild did."
