Search - Matthew Dear :: Backstroke

Minimalist avenue please, no stops

Ian Fleming | Toronto, Canada | 09/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A great continuation where "Leave luck to heaven" left off. I've collected and followed alot of the artists on Ghostly for the past few years and I've never been dissapointed. Taking over where the mentor Richie Hawtin left off "Backstroke" is solid minimalist techno with interesting lyrics making for a really enjoyable experience weather your just chilling at home or itching to get up dance -- it's all there for you to make it your own."

A review that actually addresses the music

J. HANSIS | United States | 08/10/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"matthew dear's earlier material (released mainly on vinyl) is straight-up minimal techno, but lately he's been going with a poppier approach with the addition of vocals. he sings on almost all the songs here, and there are lots of other nice touches, like guitar (i think) in "tide", and horns and latin percussion in "and in the night". there are lots of quirky melodies and interesting production effects. this music is very modern, individualistic, catchy, often dancy, and sometimes a bit spooky."

Very Worthy Album.

Gary Peterson | San Diego, California USA | 02/11/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been listening to techo/electronica music for over a decade and I enjoy it very much. I'm not sure why. It just appeals to me where I'm at the present time. As such, I buy up a lot of CDs that I have no knowledge of whatsoever. I enjoy some very much and others I store away never to be played again. I purchased Matthew Dear's "Leave Luck to Heaven" in this way after reading a short review in Rolling Stone. I was blown away by the recording and became a Dear fan from the first playing. "Heaven," in fact, was so good that it prompted my first Amazon review. Naturally, I purchased "Backstroke" as soon as it became available.



"Backstroke" was a disappointment. It's not that it was a bad recording. In fact, it's rather good. The only sin of "Backstroke" was that it didn't live up to my glowing expectations derived from Dear's first CD. As such, I put off reviewing "Backstroke," I got tied up with a bunch of other more pressing matters, and several years drifted by. Then I purchased and reviewed the "Audion (Suckfish)," "Asa Breed" and "False 2007" CDs. I just love listening to this stuff! Except, I now recognize that I greatly prefer Dear's "instrumental" pieces, and I don't particularly care for Dear's vocals. Well, that's just a personal preference and others may feel quite differently. In any case, the time has come to go back to Dear's "Backstroke" and give it another listen.



"Backstroke" is a good CD. Well done. Pleasant listening. If I weren't familiar with Dear's other recordings, I'd give it five stars. It certainly ranks well above most of the other electronica I listen to. However, this CD doesn't live up to Dear's recordings, specifically, "Heaven," Suckfish" and False 2007," in my opinion. I'd say that "Hide" and "Takes on You" are the best tracks. I burn out quickly on "And In the Night." All but two tracks feature Dear vocals, and I find his vocals distracting from listening to the very interesting electronic progressions he lays down. It's a good album, very worthy, probably better than the four stars I'm giving it.



Gary Peterson"