Customer Reviews

Amateur Girlfriends Go Proskirt Agents

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of my best guy friends introduced me to the Xploding Plastix while visiting one day. Given his certain penchant for alternative rock, I was expecting much of the same, especially considering the name of the band. In actuality, the Plastix have discovered a formula to concoct a delightful blend of jazz and electonica--somewhat of a futuristic jazz, with many songs seeming apropo for a James Bond soundtrack.
The drums, cymbals, and heavy bass beats are truly reminiscent of a great classic jazz song, especially ones like "Sports, Not Heavy Crime." Others like "Tintinnamputation," though still identifiable as jazz, lay on synthesizer-esque sounds and sound completely new and different.
The entire disc is a perfect middle ground--satisfying for the traditional music lover, and modern and innovative enough for a listener with modern taste.
Like Bond, the Plastix are cool, unique, and always on the cutting-edge.

I heard them on a public radio music show (KCRW), and it immediately caught my attention. I went to their website, and listened to their streamed material, then ordered both their CDs available on Amazon. I like the way they integrate a bunch of musical styles into something that's very coherent. The tracks hold your interest, and don't feel gimmicky. My only slightly critical observation is that they need to be more complex rhythmically, because so far they have a slightly "conventional" rhythmic vibe. I feel they have great potential, but would benefit from looking more closely at stuff like early IDM (say, Plaid, Autechre etc.), it'll give them depth. But overall, I'm extremely pleased with these CDs. The big test is if you can listen to them for extended periods of time... my test... I throw a CD and let it play in a loop... after a few hours, I know what I'm dealing with. This passes the test. It's good stuff.

I have just started to listen to these guys having come to them through more Norwegian jazz, such as Nils Petter Molvaer, Food and Wibutee. XP have a somewhat more funky approach, but I just love them anyway. You have to listen to them, and listen to them a lot!

I found this band through their website. Technical excellence there plus a very appealing approach to putting their music online (http://www.xplodingplastix.com/) hooked me and I ordered both this and "Behind The Eightball." "Amateur Girlfriends" has its ups and downs, but it's far more positive than negative. I am heavily biased towards techno and have zero knowledge of jazz, so I may not have the same appreciation of it as some people, but as they say - I know what I like. And Xploding Plastix is it. Most songs take their time, which is a welcome reminder that not all techno is conducted at the frentic pace of Prodigy or their ilk. I particularly like "Comatose Luck" and "Doubletalk Gets Through To You," but there's not much point in discussing such when I can point you at their site and say "Listen there!" - which I am doing.

I want to warn everyone the track listing on Amazon is wrong for this CD. I ordered it expecting 14 songs, but there are only 10 on this version. Unfortunately, the original, 14-track version is rare and hard to find. There are also two tracks on this version that aren't included on the 14-track version, which is one plus, but it's a shame that six songs didn't make it onto here because those are excellent songs. Great music though.

Apparently much of it was recorded live for this CD then mixed, very nicely produced too. Beats having the usual set of random grainy samples. Everyone from my GF to my mom likes it, if that's any indicator. If you like this style, also check out some of dZihan & Kamien.

Words can't even describe how wonderful this album is. My roommate who listens to what I consider very boring, mainstream, popular music loves this album too. Very bassy jazz, I can't see anyone dissapproving of this album that enjoys either jazz or electronic music.

There is no easy way to describe Xploding Plastix. My title about sums up how I'd describe them to a friend, yet that would only get more questions. Are they techno then? Yes. Are they jazzy then? Yes. And are you implying they sound like the score to a video game? ... Yes. Does this bizarre mashup work? Defiantly, yes. No that's not a typo. Defiantly.

That said, there's no way I'd introduce someone to this sort of sound (think old-school Cinematic Orchestra) via Xploding Plastix. You have to already have dunked your feet in it and liked the feel. There are also more memorable tracks by the duo released on different albums, especially the spacey The Benevolent Volume Lurkings EP. But in terms of overall quality and luscious sound, this is their definitive album. It sets a mood that is hard to shake off, and while you may not be humming the tunes immediately after a listen, that mood will stick with you and mellow your soul for hours later.

The jazz is what draws me the most, but it's so twisted and misshapen that I must again warn noobies to stay away, at least initially. Give some of the other artists on the immortal Ninja Tune label a listen first, such as Bonobo or the aforementioned Cinematic Orchestra. They present a smoother and an easier transition. Then pick this album up and let your mind wander. It's a treat.

Originally released as Amateur Girlfriends Go Proskirt Agents on Beatservice Records in 2001, re-released by Palm Beats in 2004, and (finally) re-discovered by me (with a helpful hand from a friend) in 2008, this acid jazzy, trip-hop infused, broken beat heavy debut album by Xploding Plastix is an absolute delight! I am instantly reminded by Amon Tobin's best tracks, and it's no surprise, since the albums are from the same era. Xploding Plastix is an Oslo (Norway) based duo comprising of Hallvard Wennersberg Hagen and Jens Petter Nilsen. The two producers are joined by Rita Augestad Knudsen under another alias, The Electones, to release a Summercloud LP on Inertia Records in 2002. The group is mostly known for their track (and debut 7" EP), Treat Me Mean, I Need the Reputation, released in 2000 on Beatservice Records and later repressed for Hospital Records. With nu-jazz fused keys, upright bass samples, scratches, and broken rhythms, the tracks on the debut album are fresh and groovy. If you love the sound of Amon Tobin's earlier and lighter works, Squarepusher's bass slaps with broken time signatures and The Herbaliser's UK-flavored instrumental hip-hop, then you'll surely fall in love with Xploding Plastix from your first listen. I know I did. Here's a great sentence from Norwegian Beatservice that I can't help but quote: "Xploding Plastix has a sound like irradiated neon washes; shimmering and pulse glowing accordingly disproportional to the flashy stuttering red lights, like cancerous cocktails; splintering with deranged delight. The cinematic, dirty film noir feel is mercilessly exploited. Xploding Plastix is the epicure of a gorgeous, jagged, murderous pulse." The last full length release by the group was The Donca Matic Singalongs, on Columbia Records in 2003. Besides the above mentioned, similar artists include Skalpel, Jaga Jazzist, Red Snapper, Nostalgia 77 and Bonobo.

Upright bass, dark blue noted keys, scratchy samples and an avalanche of gigantic drum breaks collide with Bonds-esque tension to create Xploding Plastix, the musical child of Jens Petter Nilsen and Hallvard Hagen. Both based in Oslo (Norway), they started making music together late 98 - early 99. The music has been described as melodic and cinematic, balearic and bombastic. It's lock grooves and spinning breaks, saccharine melodies and pumping jazz vibes all packed in a flowing warmth of acoustic and organic quality. 'Theirs is a big, disorienting future jazz racket, splicing DJ Food's mad drums, Aphex Twin's time signatures and the Herbaliser's moodiest, cinematic bits. Awesome.' - NME Magazine