Rawq

Kilowatts and Vanek, KiloWatts

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 26, 2005)
• Original Release Date: April 26, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Diffusion Records
• ASIN: B0008EJZ0O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #171,805 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

“Rawq” is the first album from the unlikely collaboration of Belgian singer/songwriter Peter Vanek and experienced IDM wizard Jamie Watts (KILOWATTS). Licensed from Holophon (Germany) for North American release, “Rawq” is a cutting-edge mixture of glitch-pop, guitar virtuosity, and enchanting songs. Connected by mutual friends, and separated by an ocean, KILOWATTS AND VANEK set out to create on “Rawq” entirely by trading files over the internet. Amazingly, they succeeded – and brilliantly. While Vanek is mostly influenced by artists such as Nick Drake, Ryan Adams, and LAMB, KILOWATTS brings elements reminiscent of AUTECHRE, DNTEL, and STYROFOAM. Full of candid daydreaming, enigmatic confessions, and fairytale-like romanticism, “Rawq” could very well be the perfect “Poptronica” album. Solid beats, smeared granular textures, and haunting melodies all effortlessly combine with Vanek’s guitar compositions to produce a profoundly listenable mixture. Presented in a 6-panel digipak, newly remastered for perfect audio clarity, with artwork by Kari Altmann. Released on Diffusion Records - http://www.diffusionrecords.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Damn Good., May 7, 2005

By	M. Randall "Deadpool" (Allen Park, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm not much of a fan for "synth pop", but this release stands out. I am somewhat familiar with KiloWatts hearing some of his remixes. I knew he was good, but I had no clue about this Vanek individual... Well needless to say the 2 make one pretty awesome synth pop group.

I'm now considering getting KiloWatts new album, Problem/Solving. This CD won't dissapoint you if you're a fan of such acts as Iris, Basic Pleasure Model, Widebrand Network, Intuition, etc...

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic little gem for this decade of glitch kids, April 27, 2005

By	Kari E. Altmann (east coast, usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Glitchpop for the masses, IDM for your girlfriend and your Dad.

I might be a bit biased since KiloWatts is my best friend, and I make all his artwork, but this album was special since the day it came into conception. Two boys, Jamie and Peter, across the world, make a song called "Lies" and before they know it people all over the internet are listening and begging for more. Within a year they have an entire album of songs that grow into something deeper, more involved, and more connected. By the time the last two songs were made they had finally met in real life in Augsburg and given their first performance, and the internet response was stronger than either of them had ever imagined.

People go crazy for the K&V stuff, why?
It has the idm/glitchish elements of modern and progressive electronic music with the emotional strength and easiness of folk and pop. They've poured themselves into this, learning along the way, and damn.
Some of the songs are just plain catchy!

My top track recommendations: Silver Screen, Salt

5.0 out of 5 stars Melted Skies and Lucid Dreams, October 21, 2006

By	Rebecca Johnson "SeasonedwithLove.com" (Washington State) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

Rawq creates melodies with edgy textures you can fall into and still remain fully awake and intrigued with the lyrics. You can lose yourself in poetic daydreams or stand amazed on the shore of this album.

I like the heartfelt honesty in "End of Time" where Jamie Watts' artistic electronica blends effortlessly with Peter van Ewijk's lyrics. "Silver Screen" seems to be a mirror of the lyrics in "lies."

The entire album is an inner journey that seems born of opposing forces and longings to solve the unsolvable mysteries of existence. One force seems to be calling you inside and the other leading you to escape the silence.

"Gone" is stunning and Vanek's intoxicating voice invites you to lose yourself in his lucid dreams. Vanek has a mysterious presence that inspires you to desire more albums, more albums! I could listen to him singing forever...

~The Rebecca Review