Search - Mathias Schaffhauser :: Lido Hotel

Several Steps above todays Contemporary Ambient Techno......

fetish_2000 | U.K. | 04/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having absolutely no prior knowledge for Mathias' work before buying this, this was a purchase based purely on multiple glowing reviews for this album of generally innovative Microhouse (Ambient/Downtempo Techno, crossed with Minimal House) & Minimal techno/Electronica. This feels like a multitude of influences have shaped and created this remarkable album. From the Minimalist house of first track "Nice to meet you" that grows and expands into a full blown vocal house that seemingly references Deep House in style, but the arrangement is pure sparse rhythmic groove. "Zeit Rinnt" is a 7 minute Electro-techno metallic percussion shake-down that feels melodically detached, but artistically accomplished, and recalls "Autechre's" early Ambient releases. Title track "Lido Hotel" shifts the dynamic slightly by focusing on ambitious drum pattern programming that is underpinned with deep bass beats that adds a further layer of depth to the uptempo template that further confirms to be a release of superbly intelligent dance-oriented music, and more than makes the effort to find this hard to find release justifiable.For an album without any weak tracks, finding tracks that particularly stand out is difficult, but pushed for a choice, it'd have to be gorgeous synth-driven Electroncia/Ambient Techno pulsating brilliance of "6 Uhr Morgens", a tracks that fools the listener into thinking it's an ambient driven track before punctuating the sound every couple of mintues with the most surprising flash of uplifting electric guitar, before cascading back down into ambient techno. It really is a quite stunning moment in the album, and I defy anyone to listen to it, and not (at the very least) regard it as a superb track (even if it is probably the least Dance-oriented song on the album). Those that are fans of 'Mathias' work will already be sold on this album, as I'm sure it probably ranks as his finest work. But those (like me), that have no prior knowledge of him other than this album, would probably be well advised searching the internet and reading through all the reviews for this album (and almost certainly, listen to the song samples contained on this page), not that there is any issues regarding the quality of this album, it's just that its feels geared towards enthusiasts that know the different of their `Microhouse' from their `Minimal Techno' and they will be the ones that will appreciate the genre hopping here most, as every genre touched upon is just one brilliantly realised track to the next that has more going on than you'll probably realise on the first couple of listens......and they will be the people that'll undoubtedly hold this album very close to your heart. But those unfamiliar with these sorts of hard to find (enthusiast) albums will have to be willing & prepared to try and take on board the unique ideas & production & underlying aesthetic, and only then will they ultimately (over time) realise and more importantly appreciate what all the (significant) fuss is about regarding this quite brilliant album."