Customer Reviews

Oeuvre

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Q-Burns Abstract Message has always been a little off-kilter; OEUVRE collects tracks from various 12", allowing Donaldson to indulge his inner eclecticism. The tracks wander all over the place, never content with one mood or groove. "Enter/Other" shifts gears several times, while "Touchin' on Something" gets into some noir house breaks. There's a little taste of electro-funk with "Bugeyed Sunglasses," and the funk is even more apparent on "Puff the Magic." But it's the delicate tones that start "Pools in Eyes" that stand out the most, though the deep throbs in "Flava Lamp" leave an impression as well. The long "Toast" also kicks off with a softer touch, a guitar strum and some warm synths that maintain the chilled feeling throughout. A mixed bag, to be sure, but still worthwhile.

Q-Burns Abstract Message's "Oeuvre" is a very good electronica album which unfortunately has a couple flaws. The first flaw is that it generally seems pretty standard - it all sounds like it's been done before. The second is that the album lacks any GREAT songs (like DJ Wally's "Genetic Flaw" or DJ Shadow's "Endtroducing..." definitely had - they're all good, though). It obviously has many influences (The Orb, DJ Wally, DJ Shadow...). Though it's not entirely original, the album as a whole is pretty entertaining. It was a hard decision to make, but I don't think I could give this "5" stars. This is only for electronica fans, and they will probably like it a lot. All things aside, however, this is highly recommended!

Highlights include:

the entire album!

This cd is amazing. I bought it a few years ago when it came out. I was just geting into techno, and this really opened my eyes to what is posible in the genre. Each of the tracks have a instant catch which hooks you to the song. However, unlike most techo albums that are produced today, the songs are do not grow old and boring. The most impressive thing for me is how you can listen to the cd straight through without having to skip over a lame beat. My favorite track on the cd would have to be the opening track, Enter Other, it slowly builds up with a great flute sample into an explosion of sound that always gets my head bobbing. I also really like Flava Lamp it has an interesting beat that amost sounds like it came from a videogame. This is an album that you need to listen to, to understand. Once you hear it you will be hooked and have to listen to more.