Attack Decay Sustain Release

Simian Mobile Disco

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 11, 2007)
• Original Release Date: September 11, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B000UZ4G7S
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,326 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Dance music should be pretty simple. Take one good slice of melody, surround it with atmosphere and attitude, then add layer after layer of gripping, stomping rhythms…, OK, maybe it's not that simple. But James Shaw and James Ford of Simian Mobile Disco make a strong argument for simplicity on their stripped-down debut record. The production duo, who formerly worked together in the psychedelic electronica outfit Simian, have downsized their approach and created a piece of acid house/techno that profits greatly from an uncluttered, direct mindset. From an influence/genre perspective, there's nothing direct about it at all, actually. There are dashes of early Aphex Twin, more than a little Daft Punk, and some 808 State to boot. But it's all mixed up with breezy electro-styled production, which gives the music a sparse and snappy pulse that creates space and complements the duo's songwriting. There are times when it doesn't work, as the boys have cranked the mid-range so high it can sound tinny and hollow; "Tits & Acid" should be a stomper, but somehow never really takes off. Other songs are compromised by the choice to crank the vocals so hot in the mix, like "Hotdog," which can't hide its too-silly central lyric. Still, when it works, it really works. Shaw and Ford understand the need to evolve a song, as tracks like "It's The Beat" and the wonderful, whirligig "Wooden" start here and end up over there. Your love affair with Attack Decay Sustain Release may be more like a one-night stand and you'll probably hate yourself in the morning, but your regret will be tempered by a silly grin that won't fade until lunchtime, at least. --Matthew Cooke

Product Description

ANALOGUE PARTY MUSIC begins here!

U.S. VERSION INCLUDES TWO EXCLUSIVE TRACKS!

ATTACK DECAY SUSTAIN RELEASE is the debut album from SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO.

The electronic duo is comprised of James Ford and Jas Shaw formally of experimental indie band Simian. The two took to playing DJ sets after Simian gigs and thus the "mobile disco" took on a life all its own. Coming into the spotlight with the ubiquitous dance-floor remix of Justice vs Simian's "We Are Your Friends" SMD found themselves embraced by dance music fans who were looking for more. When crafting original compositions in earnest, James and Jas purposefully chose to exclusively use analog equipment giving their arrangements a distinct, human quality. Those who lent their voice to SMD include Go! Team frontwoman, Ninja and one time Simian band-mate, Simon Lord.

Simian Mobile Disco have an instinctive knowledge for what will work on any dance-floor and now they've used that instinct to create the most invigorating dance album of 2007.

The Simian Mobile Disco is coming to your town: do not even attempt to sleep.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing more than a fantastic dance album., December 30, 2007

By	Paul Carlisle (Palo Alto, CA.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'll admit, Simian Mobile Disco's "Attack Decay Sustain Release" is by no means an album that has hidden elements about it that you will discover through many listens. All this album does is provide 10 (12 with the two bonus tracks) compulsively danceable cuts that will have you on your feet for over 40 minutes straight.

Simian Mobile Disco consists of two former rockers that decided to get into the Acid House genre, which has been around for quite a while now. Simian definitely follows the belief that newer gear does not necessarily mean better. Along with Daft Punk and Justice, these two producers use analog gear that holds onto the human mistakes that old electronic gear has, and the lo-fi synths definitely gives this album that old school feel. Highlights include their biggest single "It's The Beat" featuring vocals from the lead singer of the Go! Team, "Sleep Deprivation", "Love", "I Believe", and the second bonus track "System". From start to finish, this album will keep you up without pause. SMD by no means break any ground with this release, but they create an irresistible "good-times" album that will have you remembering why music makes us dance. Highly recommended!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Half as good as it could have been, September 22, 2009

By	D. Dredske "Media Man" (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album is a mixed bag. Half of it is quite good while the other half is pretty awful. I applaud SMD for trying the electro/acid house sound. As this album displays they're successful about 50% of the time. The tracks which stayed on my iPod are rated below while the rest were pulled off after one listen. Hustler, Tits & Acid and It's The Beat (even though it sounds cheesy like Technotronics "Pump Up The Jam" it's horribly catchy) were the stand out tracks for me. Below are my ratings;


1. Sleep Deprivation 7/10
2. I Got This Down 8/10
3. It's The Beat 9/10
4. Hustler 10/10
5. Tits & Acid 10/10
6. I Believe skip
7. Hotdog skip, absolutely the worst track on the album.
8. Wooden 7/10
9. Love skip
10. Scott skip
11. Clock skip
12. System skip

Overall the album is worth a listen and a few of tracks might stick with you like they did with me. There's nothing ground breaking here but clearly SMD has talent, even if it's hit and miss.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars About half great, May 4, 2008

By	Lethe Gray (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

While I was really impressed with about half the tunes on this album, the other half, mainly vocals, were not my type of music. On the whole, it's all very good, well-constructed music. I just wish all of it had been instrumental, instead of being half vocals.