Customer Reviews

Fabric 32

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

 

 

Electronophile that I am, I have had little exposure to Slater's work in the 12+ years in which I've been listening to electronic music [did another reviewer use the word "electronica"? Pro Tip, for those new to the genre--if someone uses the word "electronica" earnestly, tune out...or buy trance...your pick]. Fortunately, I'm native to Detroit, so there's always been plenty of transcendent, trend-shattering and timeless music. To say nothing of the timeliness of it all. And that all said, Slater's mix on the consistently connecting Fabric/Fabriclive series is, contrary to what other reviewers were trying to say, a game-winner. Sure, there are a few dry segments [I don't care for Acid House, e.g., and it's here and there in the mix]. Overall, however, Luke Slater lays it down and rips it back up. I saw that there's a used copy for 67¢. Somebody oughtta snatch that right up.

Hey, I liked the fact that Mr. Slater tried to mix things up a bit. Yes, he took some risks outside the usual norm that didn't always flow, but overall this one kept me interested. I listen to it plenty.

I give enough respect to Mr. Slater for doing this fabric mix. He had a few good songs on here, even for running. However, I cannot even give it three stars and say anything else good about it. Picture entering a bar with heavy smoke and just hearing fast techno. With hearing this, it is not quite what I would call compiled right. I'll hear 4 or 5 good songs on hear, but it does not have a consistant beat with songs that make nearly half this fabric boring. This is boring where I would be more amuzed watching grass grow.

I am not a Luke Slater fan. However, this disc doesn't clean the slate to call it a real fabric mix!!

This is one of those top heavy mixes, where it seems most of the good flow of tracks are in the first half. The second half, while having some decent tracks scattered through, are cluttered with too many mediocre or weak ones. The first part of the mix is a stunning line-up of high energy techno, only to be brought down by the last half. It's a shame the flow couldn't continue, as I really like a majority of what's on here.

You know it's a bad sign when you have to force yourself to listen to an album more than once. Fabric 32 by Luke Slater is one of those albums for me. Classified as "techno" this album has Slater attempting to hybridized multiple genres of electronica. Perhaps to complicate the classification scheme even more? Like a failed chemistry experiment, Fabric 32 does end up with a final product, but it is far from pleasant.

To make it even more painful, you can hear some great rifts of music and groovey beats in the distant background on multiple tracks, but they are quickly swallowed up by noise and garbage each and ever time. Horrible track selection and horrible mixing. Sorry Slater, try again.

1.5/5 stars.