Customer Reviews

Tekkonkinkreet

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Plaid fans will not be disappointed. The TEKKONKINKREET soundtrack has a little bit of everything you love about Plaid. At times I'm reminded of the spooky-dark sounds of Spokes, at other times the goofy sounds of Rest Proof Clockwork, and still at other times the majestic sounds of Double Figure. The liner notes contain an excerpt from the film director's notes that really says it all:

"Music will be a very important aspect of TEKKONKINKREET, serving not only to add weight to exposition and momentum to action, but also as counterpoint to the larger themes of the film. For TEKKON's first act, the music should have an analog, old-world feel, to compliment the nostalgic ambience of the Treasure Town we see in the opening scenes: the yakuza underworlds, the street urchins' hand-to-mouth existence, the multi-ethnic potpourri of Treasure Town's streets and various factions and tribes. As we move into the second act - Snake's act - old world analog will give way to newer, alien, synthetic forms: minimalist breakbeats and dissonant post-techno sounds. When the action picks up and we descend into White and Black's respective madnesses, the music will drive us forward with increasingly rhythmic trance-like elements. As the film's various conflicts are resolved, and balance between opposing forces achieved, an altogether new type of music - a soothing and harmonious hybrid combining elements of the old and the new forms - will take over. This music will echo fragments heard over White's dreams of ocean paradise and apple trees." - Michael Arias

The only bummer about this soundtrack is the inane japanese pop song by "Asian Kung Fu Generation" that is tacked onto the end of the disc (it's heard during the end credits of the film). This piece of garbage completely destroys my state of Plaid-induced euphoria, so much so, that I've burned myself a copy of the soundtrack which omits this track!

Anyhow, Plaid is masterful. And the film is beautiful too.=)

I first heard of Tekkon Kinkreet during a preview for another movie: Paprika. The animation is great (for both movies), but what really convinced me to get TK was the music. The track "This City" does a wonderful job of capturing feelings of suspense, apprehension, dexterity, and mystery. The six-four time signature gives the song a driving, enegetic motion, while key changes and light xylophone notes layer in an ambient, dreamy quality which fans of ambient music will resonate with. Other tracks such as "White's Dream" explore expansive soundscapes, and, having listened to Plaid's album "Trainer" years ago, I finally recognize the unique, creative key changes and polyrhythmic percussion -- the signature sound of Plaid. Other tracks such as "Rat's Step" are more upbeat and sneaky, like something from a David Holmes (think "Ocean's Eleven") album. The thirteen-four time signature (!) is fun to try and keep up with.

The only piece which seems out of place is the bonus track, written by "Asian Kung-Fu Generation." Its chaotic, thrown-together punk rock sound completely obliterates the vivid, carefully-orchestrated mood of Plaid I was trying to enjoy. TK needed something chaotic for fight scenes, sure... but there's no way I could listen to the bonus track with the rest of the album unless I was hopelessly schizophrenic. Delete the bonus track, and explore the rest of this wonderful ambient soundtrack.

Wow! This could well be Plaid's best album to date. A full return to form and then some after the slightly disappointing Greedy Baby. The track "Where?" is phenomenal, I can't stop playing it. Shame this is on Japanese import only, for now. If you're a Plaid fan, just get it. BTW, the final J-Pop track could be worse, but nevertheless can be safely ignored.

I was originally postponing any reviews of Plaid in anticipation of their new album, Scintilli, originally planned to be released sometime in Q4 of 2008. But it seems that it has now been postponed to mid 2009, and I can't wait that long to talk about one of my favorite artists (which you should already know all about). And what could I say about Andy Turner and Ed Handley that hasn't been said before? As former members of The Black Dog, their discography goes back to the early 90s. Their official first appearance on Warp as Plaid was with Not For Threes (Warp, 1997) followed by a dozen of LPs and EPs. This year the duo celebrated their 20th anniversary of working together. In 2006, Plaid composed their first soundtrack to the Japanese anime, Tekkon Kinkreet (Studio 4°C, directed by Michael Arias), and just completed yet another soundtrack to Arias' 2009 film, Heaven's Door [to be released by Beatink in Dec 2008 or Jan 2009]. But back to the official soundtrack for Tekkon Kinkreet (which is actually a pun on "Tekkin Concrete", the Japanese term for reinforced concrete). The score is a collection of well rounded and extremely intelligent tracks that tell a complete story of their own, combining ambient, electronic, and even pop-rock elements that are beyond any dimension of measurable classification. It is a lavishly warm album, wrapped with diverse instrumentation, like vibraphone, strings, bass, acoustic drums and jazzy riffs, all driving forward the cinematic perception of a fantastic world existing in a world of animated film. There is just way too much in this latest Plaid release to be put into words, so I'll reserve to quoting Michael Arias from the liner notes: "[...] the music should have an analog, old-world feel, to compliment the nostalgic ambiance of the Treasure Town we see in the opening scenes. As we move into the second act, [...] old world analog will give way to newer, alien, synthetic forms: minimalist breakbeats and dissonant post-techno sounds. [...] This music will echo fragments heard over White's dreams of ocean paradise and apple trees." What's more exciting about Tekkon Kinkreet, is that unlike previous Plaid albums, it is not reprinted upon various media by Warp, Nothing, or Beat Records alike. It is a single release, falling slightly beneath the radar, on an Aniplex Inc., a Japanese imprint for Sony Music Entertainment (Japan). Not being marketed by Warp, this album may have slipped past a bunch of fans, unless they are loyal Plaid followers. It is still only available as an import [and sells on Amazon for $65 ???]. I highly recommend you listen to the album first (over and over), and then watch Tekkon Kinkreet - it will create an interesting experience of watching an exciting story, set to already beloved tunes [btw - the animation is amazing!]. Then pick up a Tekkon Kinkreet Remix project with interpretations by Prefuse 73, Vex'd, Derrick May, Mathew Jonson and many others. Recommended for fans of Kettel, The Flashbulb, Boards of Canada, Arovane, Wagon Christ, and The Future Sound of London.

Plaid has created a masterpiece. I have accumulated a vast amount of avant garde electronica and this is without a doubt one the greatest albums created within the electronica genre. If you love electronica and purchase this album I warn you that most other electronica may begin to sound inferior. Wonderful. Highest possible rating. The work of Plaid has become the face of post modern orchestra. Plaid will be remembered.

If Orbital is the James Bond of British electronica (or if you prefer, "The Saint"), Plaid is the British MacGuyver.

Plaid isn't the flashiest agent in the mix, but they are by far the most resourceful. They seemingly have no "Q" on their roster, bequeathing engineering marvels to aid in their conquests. If you will, there isn't as much "method" to their music. If this is unclear, check the song titles in any of their older albums... Yeah, just a little random...

Similar to MacGuyver, if one leaves them a half-dozen paper clips, a ball of wax paper and 5 minutes alone, they tend to come up with some really really amazing stuff.

That's not to say that their latest album "Tekkon Kinkreet" doesn't have a bit more polish and shine to it than their past albums. But the opportunity for Plaid to dabble in the world of Japanimation hasn't disappointed this listener.

If you're a fan from the Japanimation aspect, then a big hello! We probably haven't met, but nice to meet you!

For those unfamiliar with Plaid, this would not be a recommended place to start. The price tag is unreal for this CD right now.

A fella can get a used copy of their album "Trainer" for under 10 bucks. My introductory Plaid album, still the favorite.

Stumbled upon this item via Plaid's own blog site.

The idea of a Plaid soundtrack is intriguing as a lot of their work feels like the music from a bizarre thriller. [It seems crazy that Chris Cunningham never did their videos, when he did the likes of Aphex..].

Plaid, like BoC, have their noodly moments that don't quite find the mark and then they surprise you with something so catchy and slightly wonky that you get drawn in. Their more recent, nefarious albums 'Spokes' & 'Greedy Baby' are excellent examples of how well Plaid do this.

With this soundtrack Plaid get off to a great start, and you image you're going to be treated to a whole album of top-notch Plaid that just happens to be associated with a movie.

This feeling continues until somewhere in the middle it becomes typically 'maudlin' and 'japanese' - after a year in Japan, trust me, you will find Japanese OSTs very formulaic...

One or two of the more Japanese tracks remind me of Sakamoto's 'Aile de Honammise' and there's some Joe Hisaishi in there somewhere.

Thanfully Plaid 'reign it in' somewhat at the end and you get the wonderfully slippery multi-layered off-kilter chord sequences of their classic works.

In summary, not a great album, but a few tracks worthy of putting on your very own Plaid 'mix CD'.

Word of warning though - avoid the bonus track at all costs, racous Japanese teen rock does not fit the feel of this album at all.

Later than I was hoping, but hell, it was Christmas in-between so I can forgive that.