Scary World Theory

Lali Puna

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 2004)
• Original Release Date: October 13, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Morr Music / M.M.
• ASIN: B00029LNXM
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #173,168 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
For the last three years Valerie Trebeljahr has been quietly whittling away at her very own blueprint of pop music. Steering well clear of prevalent harmless geniality, her aim is to cleverly and intelligently dissect our perception of the world around us. After initial, tentative solo ventures on a four track and contributions to the Hausmusik „Reihenhaus" 7" series as well as „The Safe Side" on Belgian label K-raa-k, Lali Puna have now become a fully fledged band, carefully selecting band members (from Console, Notwist, Tied and Tickled Trio, Iso 68, Fred is Dead) as well as infrequent collaborators (Bomb the Bass, Two Lone Swordsmen). Following last years album debut "Tridecoder", their latest offering "Scary World Theory", again released by Morr Music, has now achieved the perfect combination of pop and (personal) politics. Behind ostensibly shy, almost withdrawn vocals Valerie is by no means coy about confronting the world’s ambivalent status quo, bluntly documenting current conditions underneath putative fragility. And the music, too, demands our full attention. Between hummable chords and sometimes soothing, almost hypnotic monotony, each repetition discloses multi-layered complexity as well as cleverly hidden counterpoints. No matter if atmospheric (Satur-nine), exuding classical warmth (Contratempo, Lowdown) or quietly breathy (Scary World Theory) – again and again Lali Puna tear heartbreaking harmonies from the sparsest of arrangements. 50 Faces Of rewinds the beat to move our feet with funky House breaks, intersected by stubbornly chirping electronics. Nevertheless, Lali Puna’s precision is best revealed on Nin-com-pop or Don’t Think – here seemingly unemotional reduction coaxes its way into our ears with unflustered self-confidence and refuses to go away. Produced by Mario Thaler (a.o. Notwist, Slut) "Scary World Theory" is a confidently melancholic album quite happy with itself. And willing to spread that happiness. If we’re prepared to let it enter our lives, that is.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soothing, effervescent, ethereal, and basically happy music, August 4, 2004

By	Tchocky (Twin Falls, ID United States) - See all my reviews

Amazing how the same song can be great background/mood music, intense headphone listening, and lull you to sleep. Lali Puna have crafted beauty from simplicity, and you can see it right here in Scary World Theory.

Everything here falls easy on the ears. There's nothing harsh, no rough edges, just melody. Amazing how what sounds like simple laptop noodling can hold your attention throughout an entire album. There's not one song on this album I don't like.

I judge any album by its headphone value and longevity. If I can happily listen to this stuff in a pair of kickass headphones (noticing intricacies, hidden melodies and beats, and hearing the production quality), and do so for longer than just a few weeks, I find that I've got a keeper. Lali Puna is one of those bands.

Sometimes, when I'm feeling kind of down, I put on Lali Puna and my mood transforms. This music is, in a word, beautiful.

If you haven't heard any of their stuff, I suggest you treat yourself to some LP. In fact, go out and buy the damn CD, you won't be disappointed.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars pure electronic downtempo with no jazz!!!, September 21, 2002

By	Jeremy Eagles "dirtbag_slimeball" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Scary World Theory (Audio CD)

if you didn't hear tricorder or scary world theory yet and you listen to downtempo such as boards of canada, venus hum,park avenue music, or ladytron, you need this. both of lali puna's first two albums are excellent downtempo electronica, song/lyric-based rather than trancey or hypnotic-based (such as pan sonic, tosca, kruder and dorfmeister, etc.)

all the tracks are great. #3 bi-pet is just amazing.

i also highly recommend venus hum's debut album. kind of bjork-like but with no jazz!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique sound, better than "Tridecoder", June 24, 2003

By	Glen Aspeslagh (Somerville, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Scary World Theory (Audio CD)

This is minimalist clicky beats, with quiet synth melodies. Most of the songs have vocals, all original and sung by a female member of the band in a sighing sort of voice with a German accent.

I bought Lali Puna's first release, "Tridecoder", when I originally discovered the band. I like this album a lot better. The overall sound is cleaner and pleasant to listen to. A few of the tracks, including "Bi-Pet", "Scary World Theory", and "Don't Think" are actually quite catchy and are stuck my head.

If you are trying to decide whether to buy "Tridecoder" or "Scary World Theory" I suggest ordering this album. It is only available as 1-2 week import, but it is much better and worth the wait!