Artifact

STS9 | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 8, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: System Recordings
• ASIN: B0007GAEK8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,386 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #38 in Music > Rock > Jam Bands > Funk Jam Bands

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

They say this CD was recorded between 2001 and 2004 "at home and on tour, in bedrooms, hotels, moving vehicles, parking garages...." But despite its name, this isn't an album of sketches, lost tracks, and other detritus. Instead, Artifact is a haunting document of ambient designs, trippy lounge, and cinematic atmospheres that occupy STS9's first new CD in five years. The "home" recordings are actually verité vignettes providing connecting tissue for songs like "Better Day," a haunting lament with breathy guest vocals from Audio Angel (Rashida Clendening), and the space-age lounge music of "Somesing." A band that plays as much as it programs, STS9's compositions have a natural flow and integrity, as if they were grown as much as computed. "Tokyo" is a hypnotic jam of slide guitar and electronic atmospheres lashed together on a kinetic groove sliced by dream sequence logic. Imagine the Grateful Dead going glitch on Miles Davis's Bitches Brew and you have a good sense of STS9's sound and why they've played events from the alternative festival Coachella to jam-band gatherings like Bonaroo. Artifact doesn't look back, but forward to a horizon still a few moments in the future. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lush Livetronica, September 7, 2005

By 

C. Scott - See all my reviews

This review is from: Artifact (Audio CD)

Far from being sleep inducing, new age, elevator fluff, this is an uplifting, atmospheric album. Imagine a less brooding Massive Attack or a more adventurous Thievery Corporation. The music here is rich with sophisticated (but accessible) beats, a strong sense of musical exploration, and yet, capable of the wistful moments found in Kevin Shields' Lost in Translation soundscapes. This largely instrumental affair does feature a handful of melodic and soulful vocal tracks reminiscent of M.J. Cole, Koop, and Zero 7. Fans of Tortoise are easily encouraged to experience the wide array of musical ideas and sonic textures that Sound Tribe Sector 9 have produced.

Rather than songs engineered by those with a technological approach, musicianship plays the key role on this warm and intellectual electronica. Supposedly, STS9 are wonderful on stage (I admit to never having seen them live) but this review is based on the album in question and not on the group's direction or capabilities beyond the studio. A truly refreshing and lyrical album, `Artifact' is worthy of investigation.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If its cold out, wear more layers.........., February 8, 2005

By 

Vaygus (Meridian, MS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Artifact (Audio CD)

This is no "knee-jerk" 5 star review. I didn't give this cd the highest mark because I'm a fan of the band (which I am). Instead, I popped the disc in, plugged in my headphones, and went on a sonic journey that I hadn't been on in a while. This cd is hands down STS9's best effort yet. Artifact gives you layers upon layers of sound. The production is outstanding. The instrumentation is clever. The band is at the top of their game.

Not to be cliche', but the disc will take you on a roller-coaster ride of electronica and jazz. When you buckle your seat belt, "Better Days" gives you the downtempo warm up. The next track "By the Morning Sun" keeps you on the climb........then "Tokyo" hits. This track is huge...and provides a beat-drop in the middle that will literally leave you laughing out loud (one of those laughs of disbelief....you know what I'm talking about). From then on, the journey is intense. Standouts include: "Peoples", "GLOgli",

"Somesing", and "Possibilities".

I can't find much wrong with this disc. It is definitely worth my 5 star rating. And it is -no doubt- worth your money.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, March 21, 2005

By 

Andrew J. Mega (Mineola, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Artifact (Audio CD)

...to everybody. I always purchased STS9's albums with a lot of hope for the future combined with a hint of skepticism. It was always a disappointment. This album is not only the best outing for this band, but can be put amongst the best of electronic music period. It is soothing, angry, smooth, trippy, and subtle, much more subtle than anything previous. What is amazing is to put this album next to "Interplanetary Escape Vehicle." It would be nearly impossible to find a better example of musical growth for any particular band. The amount of tasteful sounds that roll in waves through this album is mindboggling. I am happy that I gave STS9 another chance. This is electronic music with heart and thought. My favorite CD of the year thus far.