Customer Reviews

Turn the Dark Off

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

 

 

Howie B's second solo disc takes a big beat approach to the sublte audio trickery this producer wunderkind is so fond of. "Turn The Dark Off" is slacker big beat, really. Imagine if Kruder & Dorfmeister set out to lull listeners into a warm, pot-smoke haze just to kill the vibe later by turning on a gigantic fan.

Howie B's always understood the humor behind electronic music, and that's what's really going on here. Dig the chase-scene frenzy of "Angles Go Bald: Too," which tongue-in-cheekly shoots for being mind-numbingly repetitive. Even on the Doors-inspired collaboration with Robbie Robertson ("Take Your Partner By The Hand"), Howie B's sometimes comical use of Robertson's Burroughsian poerty prevents the track from being creepy.

The lo-fi sound prevalent on this album came at a time when high-dynamic acts like The Prodigy, Underworld and The Chemical Brothers were predicted to dominate the States. In a way, this disc proves why electronica failed to capture American audiences--we're a nation accustomed to flacid guitar heroes swallowed up by lavish production values. Nothing more than a collection of sonic pranks and groove exercises, "Turn The Dark Off" embraces everything rock-weened Americans hate: Music sampled, assembled and otherworldly tweaked by machines which have yet to be popularily considered as instruments in their own right. In a way, that's why the album's so cool.

It really surprises me that I don't hear Howie's name dropped more frequently. This blew me away when I first heard this LP. Incredible production, catchy melodies and a beautifully organic quality so sorely lacking in most electronic music. 12 years on and I still dig this.

When I listen to Howie B I am reminded of two other "fellow travalers", Cris Bangs and Kid Loco. All three have styles that are hard to catagorize because they draw from many sources. Even when some tunes don't work like they should you still wait for the other tune rather than throwing the cd agaist the wall. I liked the "hop-scotch" nature of this cd, as Howie tries many styles, some working and a few near misses. These artist are heard from seldom(with the exception of Kid Loco)but when they emerge it's usally well worth the wait.

He has worked with four of my favorite artists and groups (Bjork, Tricky, U2 and Massive Attack), and that was a good introduction for me. According to my music-expert friends, "Music for Babies" was not the greatest thing. But I have listened to "Turn the Dark Off", an album that reveals Howard Bernstein in all his creative potential, showing us that he is more than an great productor-remixer. The music makes you evoke mentally kinetic images. Jazz, Jungle, Hip-Hop and Trip-hop influences are present, but always in service of Howie's incredible tallent. Enthusiastically recommended!

Howie B, for those of you who don't know, is one of the most talented artists around, and has changed my music world. I highly recommend any music even remotly connected with Howie B. If you have never heard his music, its not too late. Go find it, and listen to it. It is well worth your time.