Oeuvre [EP]

Q-Burns Abstract Message | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 19, 1998)
• Original Release Date: May 19, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: EP
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000006OWW
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #348,331 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #79 in Music > Indie Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Experimental

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Organic, quirky electronic gem, June 10, 2000

By 

Richard Diaz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oeuvre (Audio CD)

Q-Burns Abstract Message (a.k.a. Michael Donaldson) has released a variety of tracks over the years, on labels like Sunburn, Mephisto, and London FF/RR among others. This, as you might have guessed from the title, is a collection of his best work.

What makes this album so distinctive is the instrumentation; I suspect that Q-burns plays or records the sounds he wants then samples the pieces. The result is a music playable by a band, but retaining the looped, repetitive structure of electronic music.

There's only eight tracks, but every one is a winner. The tracks alternate between mid-tempo to mellow pieces and fun tracks with just enough quirk to cause a smile. "Enter/Other" gets it started nicely, with a flute contrasting nicely the lively beats. "Touching On Something" is a slower number with a funk bass. "Bugeyed Sunglasses," takes an excellent track (and what sounds like video game effects) then tosses in one man's love for his eyewear. "Puff the Magic," starts with a high-pitched proclamation before the quirky hooks kick in. "Flava Lamp," probably the most memorable piece, mirrors that formula and uses a Donkey Kong sample (!) as it's catchy theme. It ends with "Toast," a soothing, evocative piece and probably the album's best song.

In an age where even the constantly mutating electronic genre can be easily labeled and pigeonholed, this firmly bucks the trend. It's a refreshing release for listeners, and a treat for jaded reviewers. Those who like this sound should seek out the similar style of Sunburn labelmate Hawke- the album Namaquadisco.

And for those wondering, Donaldson has said a "cue burn" is DJ lingo for a type of record damage, and the "Abstract Message" is whatever cause he's into at the moment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The good, the bad, and the lovely, December 27, 2002

By 

Elizabeth "Skyscraper" (Boston, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oeuvre (Audio CD)

In my opinion, the tracks on this album are varied. Some songs I am bored by, however the tracks that I like are some of the best songs I've ever heard, by any artist. If you don't mind long songs, this is a wonderful CD with great bass and a humorous edge to it. I would recommend it for lovers of a more lucid type of techno.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cultured-dance with addictive beats and playful samples., September 3, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Oeuvre (Audio CD)

Cultured-dance with addictive beats and playful samples. "Oeuvre" is one of those albums that makes you want to start your own music career. The flute sample from 'Enter/Other' plus its bouncing beat will get you moving even if you're in a coma. 'Touchin' On Something' starts out as a casual beat+sample, but turns sophisticated and eerie before you can say 'next song'. Best songs: try em all, but 'Enter/Other' will definitely perk up your ears.