EOD - Utrecht (2010) :: Review

EOD
Utrecht
[030303 :: 2010]

If you're one of those people who wonders if EOD is AFX, you're in for a treat:  he's not.  EOD is Stian Gjevik from Norway and his latest EP Utrecht is absolutely gorgeous, revealing that - surprise! - there are other artists (though few) capable of analog electro of the highest caliber.  Utrecht is currently available on 12" vinyl only, and having made it onto Juno's Recommended Electro charts almost instantly, it's bound to sell out.


030303 Records describes the mood of this release best,

"On the crossroads of electronics, twisted electro and classic UK techno, this is stuff that makes you want to, well…fly away and look down upon the dancefloor. EOD resides in Trondheim, Norway and we can see this fits into a landscape sparsely lit by the magical northern lights. A big six tracker for those who crave big portions of deep space!"

EOD - Utrecht


Title track "Utrecht" combines EOD's bassline and melody mastery with dreamy, uplifting pads that truly invoke a feeling of weightlessness.  The steady beat keeps this track danceable, that is if you can still feel your legs.  "Phontron (030303 Mix)" is a sparkling, joyful acid groover with an impeccable progression and cut 3, "You're Right" features a deliberate beat and minimal arrangement that makes you realize sometimes it's the space between the notes that make all the difference.  The main "theme" is so subtle yet so catchy, which kind of sums up EOD for me in a way.  His low-key internet presence and rare live performances suggest EOD is a humble artist that simply lets his music do the talking, and it speaks volumes.

EOD - Phontron (030303 Mix)


B-side opener "Flab", which was independently released in digital format some time ago on his website as part of EAP #010, gets a well deserved chance on wax and keeps things interesting with a faster pace and sinister acid feel.  If Flab is like a night of debauchery, the subsequent interlude "Came, Went" is like religious confession the morning after.   A warm organ sound plays out a thoughtful hymn full of reverence and cathedral reverb.  Last up is "On a Herald Go", also previously released by the artist independently as part of EAP #013 but now hard to find, featuring one of my absolute favorite melodies in an electronic track, ever.

EOD - On A Herald Go



Just when you thought this record couldn't be more magical, give it a spin at 33rpm for a completely different experience.  At 45rpm (matching up to sample sound bytes provided by the record label) you get an incredibly smooth but light, fluffy and fun long playing EP perfect for solitary listening as well as DJing to a braindance crowd.  But start it up at a slower 33rpm and you have a hot and heavy after hours album perfect for wooing someone special on a bearskin rug by the fire.  And it lasts longer.

I also suggest looking into EOD's prolific but evasive back catalog as his officially released albums are only just a small taste of his vast creativity and production skills.  As for the future, keep an eye on this talented artist; he is on his way and the only way is up.

Buy EOD - Utrecht :: Juno | Clone

Connect with EOD :: Official Site | MySpace | Facebook | Twitter

We Are Uncomfortable People - WAUP 10 (2010) :: Review

We Are Uncomfortable People
WAUP 10
[Self Released :: 2010]
Volume 10 of a Series
Free Download

7/10

I have an open mind when it comes to how music is made, but I do have a confession to make.  Knowing that something was lovingly and painstakingly made with physical hardware instrumentation (versus strictly software) gives it a greater worth to me.  I am certain that this mindset stems from having worked played countless hours with various pieces of hardware myself, and being able to appreciate the stimulation and enjoyment the composer must have experienced during his or her process.  This understanding adds another element that is taken into consideration while listening that often allows me to get into a recording even deeper.

Such is the case with the We Are Uncomfortable People project.  Each volume is a small collection of hardware jams from alternating co-conspirators "Hard Cornelis" (aka Fah) and "Mad Mads" (aka Retape) that get more creative and diverse with each installment, and their latest is one of their best yet.  Keeping with the tradition of previous volumes, Cornelis and Mads separately contribute their own tracks but with WAUP 10 we get 3 from each instead of only 2.  Each artist's style and background are quite different, Mad Mads being kind of crazy and un-tamed while Cornelis maintains a more refined and traditional acid approach, but the two combined achieve a sort of yin-yang balance that works quite well.

It's always a guessing game as to what the overall vibe of each release will be as it varies from volume to volume, ranging from progressive and hardcore acid to humorous oddball melodies to sometimes melancholy hymns, but the familiar sounds of their respective synth and drum machine collections manipulated with their own personal styles keep a common thread running through the entire series.  WAUP 10 takes on a more low-key experimental feel, which brings me back to my earlier point.  Mad Mads' "Untitled" track is based on a sliding two-note bassline and straightforward kick drum but he spends the entire 4m21s on another channel tweaking knobs to create this kind of exploratory solo that keeps you engrossed until the very end.  Listening to this piece, and all the pieces within WAUP 10, you can almost feel yourself in the artists' space... the faint aroma of baking circuitboards hanging in the air... vibrations of sound waves buzzing across the floor and up your spine... making the ability to really feel the music one of its greatest qualities.  "Cornelis Counter" is a warm, pensive warbler with an enveloping reverb and a hypnotic beat that casts a spell over your brain.  "Brendan Fraser Acid" is a favorite in this collection, the acid equivalent of a happy slow-paced walk through the park.  It starts off simple and somewhat bouncy, but as it goes on you start to feel the effects of some kind of psychoactive you ingested earlier and suddenly the world around you begins to unfold.  I think rather than wasting time and energy on complexity or theme in these tracks, the boys let their patterns breathe and repeat, enjoying the atmosphere they were creating, and living in the moment.  Sharing the resulting recordings with us is like an invitation to a memory; a Vulcan mind meld of music.




Allegedly the WAUP project began as a joke, the name of course being a humorous nod to WARP's "We Are Reasonable People" compilation.  Though many seriously good tracks have come out of it, I believe it's this kind of jovial approach to music making that allows an artist to be creatively free, transcending all boundaries and expectations within a genre.  With the WAUP releases Cornelis and Mads bring you along on their analog explorations and it's a fun ride.  Do yourself a favor and snag Volume 10, or if you have some catching up to do, the whole series (see below).

Tracklisting:
1. Mad Mads - WAUP10 Grand Opening - 1:36
2. Hard Cornelis - Cornelis Counter - 5:52
3. Mad Mads - Brendan Fraser Acid - 3:04
4. Hard Cornelis - Count Cornelis - 5:15
5. Mad Mads - Untitled - 4:21
6. Hard Cornelis - Corrie's Toolbox - 6:09

Download WAUP 10 :: ZIP (40.5 MB)

Download Series WAUP 1-10 :: ZIP (275 MB) Over 3 Hours of Experimental Acid!

Links :: WAUP Series Official Site | Fah MySpace | Retape MySpace

EOD Live - A Rarity (And Happening Again Friday May 21st, 2010 in London)

EOD Live
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Sonic Lab @ Cable
Bermondsey St. Tunnel
London SE1 3JW

Event Announcement
YouTube Videos of Past Performance

EOD is a talented and prolific acid composer from Norway that tends to be a bit mysterious.  The majority of his back catalog is difficult to get ahold of and his web presence is quite brief as well, yet his ability to make some of the most beautiful music ever to emanate from electronic drum machines should have had him rich and famous long ago.

Friday night, May 21st, 2010, EOD will be among the massive lineup performing at The Sonic Lab live event in London.  Electronic music heavies like Venetian Snares, Luke Vibert, Ceephax Acid Crew need no introduction, but we'd like you to pay special attention to the amazing artists presented by The Centrifuge collective.  EOD, Mrs Jynx, Gareth Clarke, Oxynucid and more will be taking the stage at some point during the night and are sure to blow your minds.  EOD's MySpace page shows a performance time of 1:30am-3:00am.  Tickets will be £15 @ the door before midnight and £18 after.  Event webpage: http://www.thecentrifuge.co.uk/_wp/2010/04/ldn-2105-the-sonic-lab-cable/


As this post is about EOD, I'd like to share with you a live set he performed at the end of last year.  If you don't mind the low bustle and hum of club goers having a great time, this 5-part video playlist is a great listen.

VIDEO: EOD Live @ 030303 Party - Ekko, Utrecht












EOD :: Official Website | MySpace | Twitter