Stay Down

Two Lone Swordsmen

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 22, 1999)
• Original Release Date: June 22, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Matador Records
• ASIN: B00000IKUM
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #227,745 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Two Lone Swordsmen, actually DJs Keith Tenninswood and Andrew Weatherall, have released a veritable concept album here, putting sea divers on the cover and drowning the listener in waves of atmospheric melodies and song-to-song flow. This record isn't just another club mix; the sensation TLS successfully achieve is of literally being underwater. As far as overall style goes, they incorporate several different elements of their ever-expanding techno palate, applying trance, light drum & bass, and electro-funk in their musical approach and using wavering, water-logged tones, sampled tides, and muted melodies that rise to the surface like air bubbles. The atmospheric elements in songs such as "We Change the Frequency" are so pronounced, in fact, that it even makes for a certain kitschy fun, like a submerged Stereolab. The distinctly land-based and inconsistent EP, A Bag of Blue Sparks, which comprises the final five tracks, feels tacked on. But bonus-track quibbles aside, if you're planning on doing a little scuba diving after the rave (or just relaxing somewhere after a long club night), Stay Down is the perfect soundtrack. --Matthew Cooke

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay, but there's much better out there, September 7, 1999

By	Guy Thompson ([e-mail]) (Sale, Cheshire, England) - See all my reviews

"Stay Down" has some decent tunes on it, a couple of excellent ones (tracks 9 and 12, I forget the titles), but it has a few very dull ones and only lasts 45 minutes. It's definitely not at all commercial, but there are a lot of other bands that do this sort of thing a lot better such as Boards of Canada and Plaid, and I'd definitely invest in albums by those artists before this one, but this is still an interesting enough experiment, just lacking some of the depth of other artists in the genre on repeated listens. There's enough to suggest that their next album might pull a few surprises.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars unprofessional behaviour, June 18, 2001

By	"katja_r" (munich, germany) - See all my reviews

There are several levels from which to enjoy this CD by the TWO LONE SWORDSMAN. For those lacking the propensity of active listening, STAY DOWN fits well as "wallpaper". It is unobtrusive enough to fall into the background yet, distinctive when acknowledged. As such, I find it easy to read with this music in the background. There are rewards, though, for those who listen more closely. Tracks 1-11 intimate a watery journey. This is accomplished through the use of "bubble" fx, tremelo with phase shifting, and familiar sounds presented in an unfamiliar way (e.g. backwards). An entertaining rhythm ties the journey together. If you are interested in electronic music with a theme that fits nicely with the decór, this CD will interest you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars bubbly techno from the deep, May 13, 2000

By	Richard Diaz (Centerville, OH United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Two lone Swordsmen bring a fresh sound to the often stagnant realm of techno with this strong release of underwater-themed tracks. This disc does several things right, from it's watery concept that seems ripe for a daring Bond soundtrack, to its track lengths, which get their point across and finish before monotony settles in.

"Hope we Never Surface" sets the tone with its static, airy beat and soft melody. With "The Big Clapper" you can practically see men in aquatic suits exploring the ocean floor. "Ivy & Lead", the disc's best track, features a supple skip-beat and deep cello that longs to be a James Bond tune if the series ever tried to be cool. The following tracks dip into electro, wrapped in bubbling beats and keys.

After track 7 though, the CD abandons the theme for more routine electro/techno. Tracks 8 and 9 wear thin, 10 "Alpha School" is Aphex-like, and the rest are tacked on bonus tracks from a prior ep. These bonus tracks show clever production techniques but aren't as compelling. But that's Ok, as this English duo accomplish their mission and provide a compelling reason to buy this off the first half-dozen tracks, and let you pick and choose from the rest.