Customer Reviews

Avant Hard

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It is hard to write a review of such an album, I guess just saying that they are great doesn't do them just. Describing them as an English cousin of Air just because both bands use Moog?No way! Their sound is much scarier and much more exciting than Air.(I have to admit though, Air music is beautiful.)so are they art-skool geniuses or they are just some lunatics trying to scare everyone away, I choose the former. Simply because of this album, its sonic beauty, something Sonic Youth is never able to do, SY might be the Godfathers and Godmother of whatever genre of , but this is music with a touch of my generation, I am only 19 this year, by the way. I can appreciate this kind of music, I am exposed to a plethora of such stuff,from Tarwater, To Rococo Rot to Mouse on Mars. This album, together with 'The Amateur Review' are among the best albums out of the genre I call 'Big Bleep' in 1999. Yes, it is filled with bleeping noise, with a rock core though.Its centre piece,'The Revenge of the Black Reagent' is a sequel to 'The Black Reagent' from their fabulous'On the wires of our Nerves' album, it is even better than the latter, at 3'30'' a gentle, frail voice emerged out of the sonic waves, trying very very hard to compete with the waves, in vain. Finally, her body, voice and her soul were swallowed by the relentless sonic tides. 'Oh Yeah Oh No' sounds a wee bit like Air's 'Sexy Boy', is this their first attempt to emulate Air? 'Machine Is Bored With Love' is a cute electronic ballad, retro,humane and romantic, so there is a future for the co-existence of man and machine i suppose. Cross-breeding might take place, the product(offspring) will look like one of those man-bots on the cover. This is Art and I ranked it as my top most album of 1999, do you believe in technology?If you do, come with me...

Quite a few people have already writen reviews for this album so I'll try to give a new perspective on it. The best way to visualize this CD is a giant robot with flashing LEDs and flying blue sparks destroying a metropolitan city in a 70's Japanese sci-fi flick while the army's tanks shoot exploding shells and their planes drop screeming bombs. Meanwhile, near the end of the CD, a strange alien child sings a melodic song in attempt to rouse a huge rubbery robot for the final showdown.

This was my first introduction to Add N to X several years back and I remember being amazed by its incredible production, eclectic structure, and consistently excellent melodies. In my opinion this is their best album and is required listening for anybody interested in "electronica" (i use the word cautiously since one word cannot describe the breadth of styles of bands as musically diverse as Mouse on Mars, Add N to X, Aphex Twin, Manitoba, etc). A must buy and an excellent addition to any music collection.

I'm sure I'll be short of any words to properly explain both it's artistic nessessity to the musical world and the simple rush it gives me whenever I spin it. Half way through the first track I wanted to be able to hear it all at once. It weaves in and out of sonic, layered soundscapes, with a frequent jolt of sudden 180 degree movements. A brilliant mix of atmosphere and experimentation. From the delicate and driving sound of "Revenge of the Black Regent" to the pure acclerating push of "FYUZ" the funky, dancable "Skills", and the slow delicate build of "Machine is Bored with Love". This disc is a privallege to own and listen to.

The dilemna that faces a group that has created music of such originality, is that potential fans may simply not get a chance to appreciate them. Most reviewers have focused on the electronic nature of the music. It is true that the use of vintage analog sound synthesis equipment is integral to their make up, but what is most overlooked is that a large proportion of the material on this record has a strong rock vibe. Unfortunately, many people that would be drawn to checking them out from the electronic end of the spectrum are probably put off by the lack of sampling, dance floor beat, etc. While many rockers will be put off by the lack of guitars and will never give this music a chance. Seeing this band live confirmed my suspicions. They are a 21st century rock band. Most others are stuck in the 20th century. But Add N to X just realize that guitars are just too limiting at times, so why bother using them at all. Just wait and see. In 20 or 30 years this stuff will be all the rage, and Add N To X will be looked up to much like the Velvet Underground was in the 80's.

ADD N to X are pioneers in a world a digital corrosion. I enjoy much of the electronic and industrial music I hear but these guys have donething unique. They have taken the soundsscape experimentation of KING KRIMSON, THROBBING GRISTLE and Brian Eno and forged ahead with a new sound for the new world. Recycling everything you can think of, these analogue madmen deliver a full on experience that one will either love or loath. But either way you have to appreciate the new direction.

'AVANT HARD', I think is ADD N TO (x)'s best.
The songs are rockin', not too slicked up, not too tight, just right. There is also some really really good vocals on here by Ann Shenton (<3), founder of ADD N TO (X).
buy it!

What can I say about this great album? Its all there... great sometimes squeaky and chirpy, sometimes mellow and thick analog sounds, the occasional head nodding beat, mind-bending noise and some kitschy samples. I spent a run of about a week obsessively listening to this CD. The addition of live drums on some tracks gives it a more live band feel that can be seriously missing from some of todays great electronic music. The moods of this CD range from happy-go-lucky fun to eerily spooky to somber-synthy melancholy and everything in between. Some favorite tracks of mine include "Skills", the almost-punk-rock "Fyuz", "Revenge of the Black Regent", "Oh yea, Oh no", and the final cut "Machine is bored with Love" is so great. This album is filled with great stuff beginning to end... get it! Future music at its finest!

I just can't get enough of this album. I was first introduced to Add N to (X) at a show where they opened for the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (it was definately a surprise). This stuff sounds like music that was created for robots.

They create what many would label as electronica, but instead of digital equipment they use analog equipment. And this really isn't electronica. It's in a style of its own.

All I can say is listen to the samples before you buy this, it is not for the open minded. I wouldn't classify it as experimental, since most experimental stuff is often very minimalistic and not easy to listen to. If you can open your mind a bit with this release and give it a chance it will definately grow on you.

I saw them live at glastonbury '99 and they rocked, so i bought avant hard, and it was nearly as good as them live. if u get mashed at the weekends this is the perfect album to mong out to.