Customer Reviews

Asa Breed

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

 

 

Matthew Dear is an interesting and creative fellow. I own three Dear CDs and an Audion disc. He presents quite an array of musical tapestries and provides some delightful listening. I'd judge him to be one of the best "instrumental" musicians in the techno/electronica field, but I don't particularly care for his vocals. Unfortunately, his new Asa Breed disc features him as a vocalist on every track.

On the Asa Breed disc, Matthew Dear presents music that is softer, mellower and slower. Guitar, backing vocals and even some strings are added. In places, it almost sounds popish, like something you might hear on the radio. This seems like a radical departure for Dear and I had clearly expected (and hoped) he would go more in the direction of his Audion alter ego. In any case, Dear presents 13 tracks of pleasant listening music. All the tracks are good, particularly if you like somewhat mellow backgroundish music. If I had to indicate favorite tracks, mine would be "Shy," " Pom Pom," "Midnight Lovers" and "Good to be Alive." My least favorites would include "Elementary Lover," Don and Sherry" and "Give Me More."

I'm somewhat at a loss to rate this disc. I clearly enjoy Matthew Dear music. "Leave Luck to Heaven" and the Audion disc fit my musical tastes much better than the "Asa Breed" disc. Dear is such a creative fellow that I hate to damn him for a disc that I don't particularly care for. However, were I not aware of his other discs I might like this one very much. Let's just say I'm disappointed. I expected something else. Others might enjoy the disc very much. I'll give it four stars. Listen to a few tracks and use your own judgement.

Gary Peterson

I'm a big Matthew Dear fan - he's making some of the most interesting minimal techno coming out of the states right now. Unfortunately, vocals are not his strong point. He's said as much himself. So that leaves the question: why do an album full of vocal tracks? The lyrics are fine - nothing amazing, but not stupid. I think the reason that Ellen Allien can do so many vocal tracks is that she has a very distinctive approach that doesn't involve a lot of straight-up "singing" - it's kind of like 3D of Massive Attack. The guy has a one octave range, but it doesn't matter because he basically whispers most of his lyrics. I think that if Dear tried for something a bit different, he'd find great success.

Enough about the vocals. The music is fine. It's a little more melodic and there isn't such an oppressive minimalist aesthetic. There's acoustic guitar on a couple tracks for crying out loud! It's definitely unexpected, but it works. The first part of the CD sounds fairly similar to "Leave Luck to Heaven" and it's not until later that things really become strange. Again, strange in a good way. As long as he keeps putting out albums as Audion as well, I'll be happy. This is good music, but I really love his minimal techno.

Asa Breed will appeal to a broader audience - not that he's necessarily trying to be more easily accessible. It's an interesting new direction. I just hope that on his next CD he leaves the vocal work to someone else.

Funky techno pop. Matthew Dear has honed his style to produce some consistently exciting releases. _Asa Breed_ is no different. Whether the upbeat and perky "Neighborhoods" or the 80s vibe of "Deserter," he crafts personal statements with each track. His innovative approach to reminds me of Jamie Lidell. Certainly their voices have vastly different qualities, but their sense of fun in approaching the material is evident. He gives Britney Spears a run for her money with the slinky "Shy," and "Pom Pom" seems as about as traditional as a love song as he's willing to go, with his falsetto providing the background chorus. "Death to Feelers," with simple guitar strumming and a simple melodic motif, shows off a more calm and moody side of Dear, an emotion that leads smoothly into "Give Me More." And for "Good to Be Alive," he tackles country with a certain warped sensibility. Pretty awesome.

Honestly, a perfect album, from an immensely talented electro-poet. Vocals and lyrics make the album. Styling and composition are superb. Appreciate the contributions Dear is making to the genre (which I should say he is co-developing/-evolving and carving out a well-deserved niche in) with the likes of early pioneers such as To Rococo Rot right through Calvin Harris, Hot Chip, and Simian Mobile Disco, etc.

I really liked this cd, nice mellow tempo with good innovative sounds; although I really love the straight ahead minimal beats of Audion, his other venture in music. This CD feels much warmer than other minimal stuff I've been listening to lately such as Ellen Allien or some of the Kompakt label artists. I don't hate his vocal but I do think "TV on the Radio" does it much better with harmonies and general enthusiasm. This is really a nice bridge between minimal tech and new folk, perhaps predicting the next step in music. It's also wonderful to hear an artist expressing different aspects of his musical taste, it is so inspiring.

I love this album. The music is great, I think the lyrics are quite good. They are not ground breaking but at the same time I think that they are good. Really with this album are we listening for the lyrics? No at least I am not so I do not expect ground breaking originality. However the lyrics match the general feel of the track and I think improve it.