Search - Nautilis :: Are You An Axolotl

Why it got to be so damn good?

Teri A. Garrison | Countryside, Kansas USA | 06/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i figured i would make an exception from my normal writing style and do the deed and write something overly cliched for this album, simply because it is quickly becoming one of my favorites and i want people to buy it. it is the best record of the year. combining elements of electronic, hiphop, jazz, crooning - it has something to please just about everyone. not exactly the most original piece of music to date, but what styles he does copy there is usually enough creativity to make it seem somewhat his own. my only complaint about this album would be tracks 2 and 4, in which skyler tries to mask his semi-wack whiteboy rhymes with minimal digitalization. overall however, this complaint is minor to a generally flawless album. the last album that made me this excited was three years ago when i first heard the richard d. james album. while not quite on par with rdj, "are you an axolotl" manages to breath a lot of fresh air into the genre."

Fresh & Beautiful

Curmudgeon | West Australia | 08/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As the previous reviewer has noted, Nautilis mixes genres to excellent effect. This album sounds fresh & surprises with its beautiful melodies. It grabbed me immediately and I haven't stopped playing it. recommended."

Headphone Commute Review

Headphone Commute | 06/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One day in a record shop, I saw a Planet Mu logo on a record with incomprehensible green reflection. Being a fan of pretty much everything Mike Paradinas puts out on his label, I grabbed the vinyl as one of those random finds. Back at home I played the record over and over. I was struck by its ingenuity of combining instrumental hip hop beats with jazzy breaks and glitchy elements of IDM. But it was the melodies and the intelligent micro rhythms that kept on ringing long after in my ears. Skyler McGlothlin's fun and confident approach to creating his first LP, Are You An Axolotl, is still refreshing and exciting to listen six years later [and not just once in a while]. Based out of Texas, McGlothlin followed up his critically acclaimed debut with a second full length, Sketches. In 2005, however, McGlothlin moved to Florida based Merck (RIP, sigh...), and produced more downtempo and instrumental hip hop, under Malcom Kipe alias. The two quick releases were Breakspiracy Theories and Lit. I thoroughly enjoyed both, but must admit that I dig his Nautilis sound a lot more. It's a bit tighter, DSP-driven, production that continuous to unravel new elements within each listen. Since Lit, however, McGlothlin has been silent. I attempt to catch up with Skyler to see what he's been up to, and if we'll hear from him again. And in case you were wondering, yes... I am ... actually... an axolotl."