Customer Reviews

Eph Reissue

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

 

 

Absolutely essential domestic reissue of Fridge's 1999 instrumental masterpiece. Masterful mix of electronica and rock that brings to mind post-rockers like Tortoise, but with minimal high-brow. Second disc includes tracks from even harder-to-find import EP's, as well as two previously unreleased remixes. Also highly recommended from this period is Fridge-man Kieran Hebden's solo project Four Tet. The 'Glasshead' EP is amazing, too. Kinda like electric Miles Davis with bigger beats.

deep, colourful displays of pastoral audio smattered with organic beats and a warm atmosphere; not to mention a keen sense of melody. at times, displaying a jazzy feel and at other times a more post rocking dub sensibility. this is certainly too active to be considered 'downtempo;' but the music is certainly moody. perfect headphone music for a rainy afternoon.

I quite enjoy this album. but it is indefiantly postrock, that hated breed of futuristic avant art rock. Use acoustic and real instruments (not samplers) to mimic what electronic instruments do, climb, create textural atypical/memorable melodies. This music makes you feel like it doesn't take any talent but a vision to create beautiful audio moments. Obligatory nods to Tortoise may seem obvious, but when you listen to this sort of music too often it all fades away (in addition to the seminal postrockers from Chicago, tie this to Parlour, Do Make Say Think, and Mice Parade). Of particular interest is Four Tet, the electronic version of this audio wonderland. But I wouldn't give this four stars on behalf of its absolute repetiveness. I prefer something more diverse that moves further and further... The remixes are quite interesting, and have that driving almost-techno beats-beats-beats feel. There is no doubt that this music is colorful, I just think Four Tet is more moving despite its lack of real instruments.

Now the post-rock has basically lost all its meaning, how would one describe Fridge's Eph album? This reissue includes an additional disc with the EPs and singles that were associated with the original release on Go! Beat. The album itself, however, is a stunning combination of electronics and guitar music. It was fusion before fusion was the norm. "Ark" layers the sounds underneath the main guitar line, while "Of" drifts with a summery melody -- summer in Norway, that is. "Aphelion" adds in some strings for an orchestra feel. On the second disc, "Terasaka" has a quiet house beat underneath the electronic squelches, guitar plucking, and horns. Herbert puts an abstract house spin on "Ark" -- a very typical mix for him, with the cut-ups and layers of sound. Meanwhile, Patrick Pulsinger, makes "Bad Ischl" downtempo, with plenty of sounds to keep your ears happy. This re-release has definitely been overdue.