Finally! The story of musical independence and experimentalism has a new chapter. David "Brun" Brown and James Taylor, as the British duo Swayzak, created the definition of minimal dub-techno with a penchant for vocals. Wh... more »at began with Snowboarding in Argentina, developed further with Himawari and reached a climax with Dirty Dancing now receives the fourth much-expected title, Loops from The Bergerie. Swayzak?s penchant for a vocal-based song structure has barely changed and for good reason: Vocalist Clair Dietrich is once again onboard, accompanying the hypnotic effect of the dreamy "Then There?s Her" with her spoken-singing vocal. Swayzak?s Brun also takes to the microphone again and "Snowblind", which sounds like an electronic rebirth of the Doors, and the driving first single "Keep It Coming" showcase his vocal skills. A new discovery for Swayzak is the Parisian Mathilde Mallen, whose performances on the slower tracks, "8080" and "The Long Night", leave us in no doubt why various projects on labels such as Tigersushi and Q-Tape swear by her voice. Also new and probably the most accomplished voice on the album is Richard Davis. The Brit released his celebrated single, "Bring Me Closer", on Swayzak?s label 240 Volt. Three tracks feature his voice on the Swayzak album ? "My House", "Speakeasy" and the second single, "Another Way" ? have cemented this good collaboration, as has the plan to construct the new live performance around him. This marks the first time that Swayzak have taken the step of bringing live vocals to the stage and underlines even more the importance of vocals in their songs. Loops From the Bergerie points the way forward for Swayzak. What may look like a retro step backwards technically proves to be a musical step forward. This sign of maturity, with a deep-rooted sound, raises the Brits from laptop heroes to real producers. Swayzak has finally come of age.« less
Finally! The story of musical independence and experimentalism has a new chapter. David "Brun" Brown and James Taylor, as the British duo Swayzak, created the definition of minimal dub-techno with a penchant for vocals. What began with Snowboarding in Argentina, developed further with Himawari and reached a climax with Dirty Dancing now receives the fourth much-expected title, Loops from The Bergerie. Swayzak?s penchant for a vocal-based song structure has barely changed and for good reason: Vocalist Clair Dietrich is once again onboard, accompanying the hypnotic effect of the dreamy "Then There?s Her" with her spoken-singing vocal. Swayzak?s Brun also takes to the microphone again and "Snowblind", which sounds like an electronic rebirth of the Doors, and the driving first single "Keep It Coming" showcase his vocal skills. A new discovery for Swayzak is the Parisian Mathilde Mallen, whose performances on the slower tracks, "8080" and "The Long Night", leave us in no doubt why various projects on labels such as Tigersushi and Q-Tape swear by her voice. Also new and probably the most accomplished voice on the album is Richard Davis. The Brit released his celebrated single, "Bring Me Closer", on Swayzak?s label 240 Volt. Three tracks feature his voice on the Swayzak album ? "My House", "Speakeasy" and the second single, "Another Way" ? have cemented this good collaboration, as has the plan to construct the new live performance around him. This marks the first time that Swayzak have taken the step of bringing live vocals to the stage and underlines even more the importance of vocals in their songs. Loops From the Bergerie points the way forward for Swayzak. What may look like a retro step backwards technically proves to be a musical step forward. This sign of maturity, with a deep-rooted sound, raises the Brits from laptop heroes to real producers. Swayzak has finally come of age.
CD Reviews
Excellent Disk
Robert G. Serafini | Cambridge, MA United States | 12/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a fine album and something of a breakthrough for Swayzak. Messrs. Taylor and Brown have acquired formidable technical skills and have applied them impressively - but gracefully - to a body of songs with good, accessible melodic content. You're in no danger of hearing Loops on your local radio station because "accessible" in this case hardly means "commercial". But Swayzak joins Kruder & Dorfmeister, Andy Cato, Matthew Herbert and a small handful of musicians who, in my opinion, can produce an entire album of satisfying electronic music (i.e. music performed with electronic instruments).
In this album, Claire Deitrich and Mathilde Mallen provide first rate vocals. Richard Davis's vocals are a bit pinched at times - think The Cure or Depeche Mode - and at other times reverbed into more satisfying fullness. (I wish they would add a collaborator like Daniel August of Gus Gus...)
But Swazak has crossed a bridge with this release: you won't hear a rhythmic "etude" or a pile of loops without a melodic "home" on this one. There is a unity and maturity to Loops that I have felt was coming through Snowboarding, Himawari, Dancing and the others - but is emphatically here now. I can't wait for a new one."
Great cd! a step forward in terms of prodcution for sure.
Jose Garcia | Toronto | 11/22/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This cd is great.
love the concept of this album, which is more song oriented than track oriented. And the vocals make so mcuh more accessible . These guys have been on and off for me. I liked some of their previous stuff so I gave this cd a go.
IMO this is one of the best electronica/dance albums of this year... probably top 10 or at least top 15.
The tracks are dubby and kind of chilled out but they have a really good techy groove going on. IMO this band sounds very sophisticated nothing cliche ...just really good music when they are on.
And there is a lot of good tracks, my fav are:
Keep it coming
Another way
Bergerie
Jeune Loup
Snow Blind
Then there is here
and Speakeasy
are my favourite track for sure.
the rest just doesn't do it for me.
Anyways, if you like chilled/dubby/electro techno with good vocals. Get this cd.
Great songs.. because that is what they are. The speakeasy track is great too with the rock and roll rifts and the whistling in the background.
"
Is'nt an electronic dance CD! That's an extraordinary cd
T. Michele | verona Italie | 06/21/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thank's god there still good music around!
I am an "old" fans of all good music and i am happy when i can listen still something that "go ahead in my brain and heart".
Swayzak (sorry...but they choose this teutonics name...)is a miracle in a thousand and thousand of electronic dance Cd of the last 10 years!
The average of others CD is 2,3 max 4 tracks good and the rest weak and boring.
Swayzak is not in this average! Loops from the Bergerie is a work between the dark side of the new wave (i am speaking Joy Division, Modern English etc) and the coming out from the post wave electronic dance (New Order...and friends).
If you want you can also dance with it, but buying this CD only for dancing is too reductive.
This Cd is for listen and listen (loud of course and with all the bass on!).
All song are ok, instrumental, with vocal and even with the female voice (Then There's her).
Keep it coming and Another Way are very "old style electronic disco" and probabily are my favourites, but also Speakeasy is a special ones.
Buy it and don't loose your time in reading my review!"
Absolutely a small masterpiece!
J. Liggett | upstate NY | 04/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been following Swayzak for years now but sort of fell out of loop with them for awhile. SO, when I decided to buy this album, it was with the knowledge that I was not quite sure what I was going to get. Well I am really freaking glad I did.
This album is so awesome, it's hard to describe. It's greatness is mesmerizing. Not to overstate it, but it is the best album I've heard in two years. If you enjoy a sort of soft-techo dubbed out bliss that nods towards the 80s, go buy this right now. If not, buy it anyway!! You truly will not be sorry."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1