Customer Reviews

That Horse Must Be Starving

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

 

 

I ain't got a lot of time, but I'm digging this album a lot. In fact, I like it more and more each time I listen to it, which, considering I thought it was worth 5 stars to begin with, is saying something.

It's really hard to describe or classify the cd; perhaps that's why I like it. It's extremely mellow in some places, but not all the way through; it's got a heavy IDM, trip-hop flavor in many places, but not all the way through; it's somewhat reminiscient of early electronica bands, but not all the way through; it's also reminiscient of the Beatles', Stones' and Pink Floyd's more drugged up spaced-out efforts, but not all the way through; it's very futuristic, but not all the way through. Mainly, though, it's very good, ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

I heard a Fred Avril song on the radio and liked it. I had never heard of him before. My loss. What a creative, innovative musician. I was mesmerized by the variety of styles and pace. Each song could be played individually and be a favorite. This CD brought me into a whole new world of style and artistry. I recommend it to anyone with time to really listen. This is not background music, it deserves your whole attention.

Does Fred Avril's debut, THAT HORSE MUST BE STARVING, signal a new direction for one of the most consistent electronic labels in the world, F-Communications? The album approaches IDM with a French twist, a heretofore unexplored area in the F-Communications catalog. But, really, the attention to songcraft aligns it more with A Reminiscent Drive than Squarepusher. "Velvet Blues," despite the clattering noise, is still at heart all about the sad strings. "The Date" channels Serge Gainsbourg with a sequencer and a penchant for distortion -- pop experimentalism, I love it (it pops up again on "Like Everybody Else"). "Eye World" is a love song filtered through an IDM prism. The remake of Li'l Louis classic "French Kiss" comes off a little bit contrived, despite its beautiful beginning. The thumping beat of "Big Wheel II," however, gives it an interesting texture when compared to the twisting sounds of the songs the precede ("Double Mind") and follow it ("Global Headphones"). I'm digging this new direction for F-Communications.

Edgy cd with a great chilly fun electro sound. Great companion to an Everything But the Girl cd. Great for dark hot nights.