Search - Solvent :: Apples & Synthesizers

Round Bleeps and Square Blips

Einzige | Phoenix Arizona | 01/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This CD takes me back to 1982. But it's a 1982 in an alternate universe. ...A universe where the guitar has been soundly defeated by the synthesizer in the battle for pop supremacy, and thus the cheesy spandex metal hair-band genre is, thankfully, stillborn. ...A universe where the term "synthesizer" is a misnomer, because no one is interested in using one to mimic other instruments. "Why waste your time?" they ask. Instead, people celebrate the fact that electronic music opens the way to an unlimited array of exciting and unimaginable new "instruments," impossible in the real world.



If there's one small complaint I have about Apples and Synthesizers it's that it tends toward the monochromatic. It's as if no buttons were pushed and no knobs were twiddled during the entire recording session. Still, the sounds used are satisfyingly fat (what Roland sound isn't?) and as long as you're not looking for anything too groundbreaking or innovative you will definitely find this an enjoyable trip.

"

Sneaky.

Gary Peterson | San Diego, California USA | 06/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here's one that sneaked up on me. I'm not certain when I purchased "Apples + Synthesizers" by Solvent, but it's been a while. I remember listening to it, thinking it was OK and putting it away never to be played again. I guess I just wasn't in the right mood, or maybe I was too busy. Who knows? Then recently, a lady friend and I went on an extended auto trip. We loaded up an iPod with about 700 songs, most of which were electronica stuff I enjoy listening to. One of the CDs was the A+S disc. We put the iPod in shuffle mode and played it through the car stereo. I'd recognize most of the songs, but when I'd hear one I particularly liked and couldn't identify the artist I'd ask my companion "Who is this?" Again and again, the answer was "Solvent." Hmmmmmmmm. The songs were outstanding. Quite excellent and enjoyable! How could I have so misjudged this album? When we got back, I put the CD on my home stereo system and had another listen. It's an excellent CD, without question, but the individual songs have a high degree of generic similarity. When I try listening to the entire CD from start to finish, I begin to experience audio fatigue about 2/3 through the disc. I experience the same thing with, say, the Beach Boys; I love the individual songs but a full CD is just too much of a good thing. Evidently, that must have been what happened with my first listen to the A+S disc. When I play the songs interspersed with other artists (such as on the iPod shuffle), the Solvent selections stand out as excellent. Very interesting.



In any case, Solvent reminds me of the synthesizer bands I used to listen to in the early 1980s, except the music is better. Catchy. Melodic. Interesting rhythms. Nice ear candy. Solvent music tends to have a strong domineering beat and soft melody lines. About half of the tracks have variously distorted voices. Nice mix. I'd toss out "Introduction to Science," which is really just an introduction to the disc. "Think Like Us" is my favorite track. Other exceptional tracks include "My Radio" and "For You." "Operating Ease," "Remote Control," and "Science With Synthesizers" follow. The other songs are good, but nothing particularly of note. After listening again and again, I'd still say Solvent songs sound best when mixed in with other music. The individual songs can then sound quite bright and refreshing. When listening to Solvent song after Solvent song, fatigue sets in. For this reason, I'd rate the CD only four stars, although it's quite a good album.



Gary Peterson"

Perfectly perfected synth-pop

tigerbeat | chicago | 11/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Solvent is truely amazing...is it because jason amm is from Zimbabwe? or is it because he owns a room full of synths, sequincers and drum machines...? well whatever it his, he obviously is amazing at what he does. Part owner of suctions records, along with lowfish, jason amm has put out several full length cds, his most popular being "solvently one listens" on suction records and "solvent city" on morr music. Jason Amm has also done many remixes for other electro synth-pop artists... Apples and Synthesizers is my favorite cd to date yet, it has more vocader use in it ( he sings more) than other of his cds, which samples are usually used. this would def. be a good introduction cd to someone who is clueless of synth-pop..."