POLYGLOVE “Redial” C20 (Illuminated Paths)

So, from across the room, I looked at my stack of tapes to review and noticed the all caps lettering REDIAL and thought to myself, hrm, that font looks familiar. That font looks like the same font used on a tape I reviewed a while back that was pretty much str8-up techno (which I am allergic to) and I remembered it being the hardest tape to review because I really didn’t like listening to it, despite knowing how much work must have been put into writing the songs. Guess fucking what. SAME DUDE remixed his tape (the original was DIALER) and sent it overseas from Europe to the East Coast of the USA, which then got sent to the West Coastal town of Berkeley, to me. Fuck.

So, here’s the thing; I hate this much less. The same beat-you-over-the-head-with-the-same-4/4-beat-throughout-the-whole-goddamn-song is still there, and I still hate that so, SO, so fucking much, but there’s a few new textures going on now to where I can almost be distracted away from it. 

You know how when that sportsball event sometime in the past happened, and all those fans were playing their VUVUZELAS, and it really pissed a lot of other people off to the point where there was a noice-cancellation i-phone app dedicated to reducing the sound? Somebody needs to make one of those for the 4/4 techno beat. I bet I’d be in love with this album if I could just remove the drums. They synth lines are interesting and they weave around and do cool shit…I just can’t hear them well…BECAUSE OF THE GODDAMN TECHNO BEAT. Seriously, somebody,make that app. I’d pay good money for it. If you’re not allergic like I am, clickyclicky below.

           

https://illuminatedpaths.bandcamp.com/album/dialler-redial

and/or

- - Jacob An Kittenplan

POLYGLOVE “Dialler EP” C40 (Trout Records)

     

That settles it; I’m officially abstaining from researching a band’s profile until I’ve listened to the album in its entirety. I’m pretty sure I’d have known these lads were from Ireland, but now that I’ve googled it, I can’t really be sure. No turning back the clock! I do, however, quite right know that I don’t like techno, muchatall… but that I’m sure that anyone who enjoys a wateraverdancing good time might find something worthwhile in this. The artwork unapologetically advertises that signature deep bass/snare I generally avoid like the plague, but, hey, itsa review, and I promised to listen earnestly and give feedback, so please just know that it’s (what I’d deem) “techno” and that, really, you should click on the link below and sample it for yourself!

So…I can comment on the mixing. Very mindful mixing. Very distinct pitches/patterns coming and going. In fact, there’s enough variation for me to not become viscerally upset (a common side-effect of techno listening for me) so maybe this is a really great techno album! Maybe these chaps have what it takes to convert the anti-raver into a ravist-sympathizer. Maybe this is the most revolutionary thing I’ve ever heard! All I know is that I’m almost curious enough as to research Aphex Twin or Autechre or Slayer or whoever so I can truly understand techno. And, again, please, if you like that dancy-techno shtuffs, please click on the link below and witness for yourself.  I’m dogshit at reviewing techno. Sorry.

http://polyglove.bandcamp.com/

- - Jacob An Kittenplan