Customer Reviews

Volume One

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

 

 

The first time I listened to this disk I didn't like it very much. Part of the problem is that I didn't know exactly what to expect; the Krautrock references that some have made (ie neu!, etc) regarding Echoboy are somewhat accurate, in that the music here is relatively minimal. Now that I've listened to this album more, though, I appreciate what Echoboy is getting at. There is a nice sense of melody here: the songs are built on clean, spare melody lines and elecronic underpinnings. Also, this album flits from idea to idea; no two songs sound quite alike. 55 is an ambient wash of mellow sound; kit & holly is a indie-rock sounding pop song (and is pretty catchy to boot); broken hearts has a slowly circling guitar line over synthesized drums. Sometimes the minimal nature of the songs is frustrating, but then the music doesn't really hold up to intense listening. It's better as background music (that's not necessarily a negative thing). Anyhow, if relatively minimal but melodic music that sounds like a car wreck between lo-fi electronica and indie rock is your thing, then this album is probably for you.

I keep waiting for the electronic fans to come out of the woodwork in support of Echoboy, but it doesn't seem to be happening. Well anyway, this album is less tuneful and more ambient than "Vol. 2", and just plain better than "Giraffe."
If you've heard neither, than here's what the album is: psychedelic lo-fi electronic, good for night drives or days spent cleaning your apartment alone (sad, but true). It would probably make you rip your hair out if you were high, since it manages to ease into harsh industrial sounds before you can notice, but in a sober state this is often an unexpected and pleasant surprise. The best thing about this album is that it proves restraint is still an asset in the electronic world. Just because you have everything but the kitchen sink at your disposal doesn't mean you have to throw it all in. Echoboy doesn't insist on grabbing the listener's attention. He just waits for the listener to give it up. That takes guts to do.

Maybe it was the mood I was in the day this CD arrived. I had only heard the "pop"ish track Kit and Holly. I wasn't expecting mood swinging ambient noise nearly void of lyrics. This CD feels like a work in progress. It's great in it's simplicity but also makes you wonder, what if lyrics had been written or the arrangements developed more. Then again, why mess with a good thing. As it go's with most good albums, the song you bought it for turns out to be the least impressive once you get into the rest. This one is going to get a lot of play...until Volume 2 is released.