Customer Reviews

Stay Down

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"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.

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.

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.

This is one of those albums you buy and hate it. You let someone else hear this really bad CD and you start to like it, and then it hits you, you love it and keep on loving it. It has so much into it, that you'll never get bored. Listen twice to each of the tracks before you think about whether or not you like it.

Beautiful, atmospheric, underwater landscapes sweep me away every time I listen to this album (which is frequently). "hope we never surface" sets the tone of the album: peaceful, trippy, almost other-wordly. "Spine Bubbles" stands out with deep, danceable beats. Two Lone Swordsmen are at the top of their genre, adding yet another complicated dimension to electronic music. A brief, but satisfying aural indulgence.

Has some songs that just rub me right, like no red stopping, other songs aren't too memorable, has a super mellow feeling so I don't listen to it too often but it's excellent for when I am feeling lazy.

a long,sleepy journey through your "self"... you're safe in your cocoon....just calm and listen to it.......

This is an underwater classic. My favorites are "Spine Bubbles" (track 6) and especially track 11, "As Worldly Pleasures Wave Goodbye..." Does anybody know what those few words that are uttered at the start of this album? --Alex Sydorenko

I heard a track from this album on Internet radio and knew I had to check out the whole CD but I didn't know the exact name of the band. Unfortunately the track I heard was called "Gay Spunk" so you can imagine the trials and tribulations I experienced searching for this CD on the internet. :P
It was worth it. Like a previous reviewer pointed out there is quite an underwater feel to the album and it roams around from hi tempo to low without ever getting too heavy or dance-like. I look forward to digging up some of their other CDs.

It's been twelve years (as I write this) and this album still stands out as one of the most amazing electro albums to date. I remember being captivated by it when it came out but I still put it on every once in a while today. It is well crafted start to finish yet each track on its own still shines in a unique glow of bubbly analog warmth. Even when you compare it to Aphex, u-Ziq and the obvious influences of its time it still offers well executed compositions that were informed by a plethora of genres that these two producers were known to love (like early house and acid music). Beatwise it explores all kinds of tempos, from slow hip hop head nodding to dancefloor 4/4. If you appreciate the more exploratory side of electronic music then you'll find something to grab onto in each track.