Customer Reviews

2 Pie Island

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Here's what my reviewer for [...] had to say.... "It's kind of like.... if The Crystal Method went on a date with Underworld, they got into a fight, Underworld tried to reason with them, and finally Oakenfold broke it up. Then they all sat down and drank some fuzzy samples. Or maybe it sounds just like the next Fluke record, which considering this album was written and produced by Fluke's Mike Bryant and Jon Fugler together with Andy Gray (Korn, Oakenfold), is no fluke. Fluke, as talented as they were, kind of flopped (or maybe just floated away) and now they're calling themselves 2 Bit Pie. Whatever parallel or silly paradigm you draw to try to describe how this album sounds or explaining their name, you have to say at some point that it sounds good. Good big 4/4 beats, good breakdowns, good solid dancefloor and electronic-music friendly film and commercial ready music, especially the opening "Fly" and I can almost see the iPod runner in "Here I Come" (which really is channeling Underworld). But you know how it is sometimes with really amazing music - it sounds like you've heard it before, but you haven't. Familiar, catchy, but different enough to be unique. I have a feeling the plethora of contributing talent lends to that uniqueness like vocalists Yuki (Japan's She Shell front-girl) on "Fly," and the Royal Opera's Dilshani Weerasinghe with the operatic and incredible "Soto Mundo." There are a few stumbles, like the robotic vocal layering with diva stylings in "Nobody Never" flashing me back to some late 80s workout video, and I'm not a fan of the rock-esque "Pil" style. But the slower-aced wanderings of "Little Things" started to bring me back and then got a little dense, but once "Mote" pulled in with its Yaz like loop, 2 Pie Island was back on track. The album finishes on two high notes, the smooth and mellower "Slipaway" and then punches out with the pumping "Afterhours." Don't listen to the naysayers.... electronic music is far from dead, its alive and breathing and running around with 2 Bit Pie!! Come on and listen!"

When I came across the "Nobody Never" single I felt a great sense of relief after being greatly concerned about whether Fluke would fall into obscurity after Mike Tournier's departure prior to completing "Puppy". Jon Fugler and Mike Bryant's newest project "2 Bit Pie" has an underlying Flukish attitude with the experimentation (and more guitars) that will hopefully keep the critics that whined about Fluke's lack of groundbreaking on "Puppy" at bay (experimentation that probably led to the name change). 2 Bit Pie is Fluke for the 21st century, and yet some of the tracks have a retro-styling that is reminiscent of days riding on Six Wheels. The combination creates an album with tracks that are all uniquely different, but still has the consistency that can only be provided by the programming expertise of these electro-gurus. With the addition of Jan Burton I thought this group should be called Flytake (Fluke + Syntax), and Burton and Fugler's vocals mesh eerily well in each track they share. Highlights of this can be witnessed in the club friendly "Here I Come" and the hard hitting "Fly". Unfortunately, Fugler and Bryant are still unlikely to receive the recognition and fame they deserve with their ability to continue to write such great music while many of their peers in the past decade have gone astray. In fact, I am sure they are less likely to receive these things now that the "Electronica" bubble has burst and all but completely faded away.
The Tracks:
1. "Fly" With the exception of Burton's vocals being there in addition to Fugler's trademark raspy spoken word singing, this is probably the song that would feel most comfortable on a recent Fluke CD. Great lyrics and vocals, hard hitting beats, and complex synth textures. Pretty much Techno perfection. Strong start for this CD.
2. "Here I Come" Another great Burton/Fugler vocal tag team and some strategically placed female vocals. Definitely more club friendly than anything on "Puppy" and has a pop vibe and instrumentation that is reminiscent of "Groovy Feeling", only this time with more groove.
3. "Colours" A banging tribal trance track with Burton going solo to prove he can hold his own a Fugler/Bryant backed track. My only criticism is Burton's vocal stylings are that of generic trance vocals (similar to much of Burton's efforts on Gabriel and Dresden's disk). He still sounds great, but those of you who discovered Syntax already know that Burton can do pretty much anything with his voice.
4. "Nobody Never" Electro flavored break beats with Fugler's gritty vocals and female backing vocals. Arguable the most retro sounding track, bringing it back almost all the way to early nineties, but with a 21st century twist. No matter what you think this is a definite banger.
5. "Soto Mundo" A cross between Switch/Twitch and the opera scene of Fifth Element. Opera-esque female vocals over a heavy, fast guitar driven riff. They could've used a harder kick for the beat, but it has a lot of energy none the less. Just try listening to this in your car and driving slow.
6. "Pil" I'm definitely biased, since I am not a huge fan of when Fugler and Bryant go Industrial (I usually skip over "Snapshot" on "Puppy", and they could've called this "Snapshot 2"). A good track, but, c'mon guys, we love you for techno talents. No need to go all metal on us!
7. "Little Things" A trip hop venture that would feel right at home on Oto. Fugler's vocals are similar to his on "Slow Motion" with some female back up. For those who like Fluke when they are laidback as much as when they are laying down the banging beats this fits the bill. A mellow, smooth vibe perfect for the chill album.
8. "Mote" Another trip hopper with new comer Yukiko Ishii taking center stage for the beginning, until Fugler's vocals share the limelight. Dark and sexy vibe. Always a good combination, especially in 2 Bit Pie's hands.
9. "Slip Away" Fugler's trademark vocals with more female backing on this mid tempo track. Not the high energy of some the prior tracks, but has some groove with a dose of funk to make it great.
10. "After Hours" A relentless, brooding trance track with a steady build similar to Fluke's mix of Atlas' Compass Error. A definitely banger. The only bad thing about this track is the fact it is the last one. I want more. I'm sure you will too after your first listen (and be glad that Fluke isn't dead, they just changed their name).
You will like this album if:
You liked nineties techno and are looking for something that sounds new but has the energy lost on most producers that have resorted to minimal, tired monotonous beats these days
You can appreciate artistic music with intelligent lyrics that isn't rock or rap
You are longing to find an album of techno producers that have been releasing great music time and time again for over 2 decades
You will LOVE this album if:
You loved Fluke and Syntax (and thought their break ups are two of the most tragic events this decade)
If you are the latter, then breathe a sigh of relief, because they are back with combined talents and as good as ever. And, oh yeah, BUY THIS ALBUM!

Love the whole CD. One of those CDs you can put it in and let it play, great variation and originality. Some of my favs are Colours, Little Things and Soto Mundo. It's hard to pigeon hole the sound, not really alternative as much of electronica slanted vibe. It's a great headphone album and glad I picked it up.

2 1/2

Pretty tired, but not completely drained, gym-inducing techno will bore many idm-freaks with generic beat-making, dated sampling, and pseudo-sexy vocals, though adds mildly satisfying melody, noticeable variety, and enough subtle tweaking to break up a thumping monotony for house-heads.