Closer

Plastikman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 21, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mute U.S.
• ASIN: B0000DIZRF
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #149,171 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The inside of your brain, December 23, 2003

By 

filterite "filterite" (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Closer (Audio CD)

This is the newest release from Plastikman. Recently I've gone back to my first love of techno music and was reading on this artist - Richie Hawtin in his Plastikman disguise - to see what was said. Mainly good stuff all round

I decided to pick this one up ( considering it was the cheapest of his releases ( and new as well )) and I have to admit at first I thought " What's all the fuss about this guy then? Because it was difficult because on first listen there's barely anything to hold your attention. And what's more there's only one bass and a drum you'll hear for the whole album. Not very exciting really is it?

Well if you dig deeper into it, if your patience can stay with it, it has more to it. Nokia's mobile coming in on one track ( he makes it sound like if it's coming in on an ocean ) and if you listen VERY closely you'll hear a melody but it is hidden so deep beneath the bassline that most people will think it doesn't exist.

Oh yes and the vocals......well if you can think of a stalker phoning you with his voice distorted then you pretty much get the idea. It adds to the whole effect of what he's actually saying.

Apparently this was recorded when Richie was on the verge of a mental breakdown and given to this I can fully understand this by listening to music. It's quite possibly the most difficult album you'll ever experience because you feel that there's nothing going on really but there's so much more just hidden beneath the surface.

Give it a go but give it time - it's not something you're going to fall in love with instantly but if and when it does it becomes hypnotized. But that's for you to decide

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Richie is the master of catchy, minimal music., August 28, 2004

By 

Thomas Hicks "T" (Vancouver, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Closer (Audio CD)

I am always amazed by the difference between the frenetic Richie Hawtin DJ sets and his moody, minimal Plastikman albums. This album exemplifies the difference between his two personalities. There are a few slow tracks that don't grab me but the rest are sensational. When I listen very intellectually to the music I am stunned by how little music there is and yet how great it sounds. Richie has always written long songs that develop so subtley that you hardly notice yourself being sucked in. I abandon the intellect and enjoy the music and celebrate animate life. Richie has used wonderul vocals, effected of course, in the form of acid aphorisms and laments of the demise of his relationship with his girlfriend. Beautiful as always.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Further from the rest., May 11, 2004

By 

"avantedit" (Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Closer (Audio CD)

Closer continues the legacy of his previous works as with consumed, sheet one, artifacts etc. Though the substantial time gap from the previous releases, Plastikman pursues into a deeper alter ego from Richie Hawtin as the dance floors of the world knows him by. Perhaps an escapade from being a DJ, Plastikman blurs the boundary of an artist, musician and producer. BTW How many other artist care to package the artworks for the album inside out?

With closer one gets closer to the dark terrrains of his mind with minimal repetitive break patterns, delay paces, threaded with faint audible tunes minus the dance factor. Laboured from the signature numbers with the decks over the years, be warned as with most of his earlier albums, Closer is richly textured with a disturbing psychological effect to the listeners. His work will transformed one to a solitary journey of soul searching and the unfamiliar depths with electro music.

Closer is what the blues period is to Picasso. Bitches Brew to
Miles Davis. Broken to Trent Reznor, where forlorn creativity remain resistant to an eroding scene of commercial crap. One can only hope he will remain closer to his vision while dwelling in this dark side.