| Autechre have just about managed to evolve into a religion. A random passer-by is almost certain to dismiss them on first listening as “pretentious” or “horrible”. But there are a few enrichment-seeking individuals who are mesmerized by Sean Booth’s and Rob Brown’s ability to summon affective compositions from their brutal machines, despite becoming progressively more abstract with every release, each time violating the definition of music as most of us know it. Regarding Autechre, arguably an agnostic approach to their music is better; this way we are neither dismissive of art, nor deluded into thinking that all their music is blessed based solely on the reason that it is unconventional.
Given how immensely influential Autechre have been in the electronic scene, we would be stupid to deny they have exceptional talent and creativity. In recent years though, many established electronic artists seem to have stepped down from their thrones. A lot of the innovation today sprouts from newer acts like The Field and Burial, who have discovered their own unique art forms out of the rave scenes. Autechre return in 2008 with Quaristice. They show no sign of being moved by what has changed in their absence. But have they still the uncanny ability to reshape the whole genre?
Well, they have chosen bizarrely to include around twice as many tracks this time round, generally much shorter in length, so we might anticipate another Autechre revolution of some kind. They claim also to be developing more of a live sound than usual. However, a cynic could accuse this idea of putting twenty different-flavored “jams” on their album as being an excuse for releasing music essentially like much of what they have already done before, only a little less polished.
Whether a musical progression or not, it is interesting enough trying to figure out if Quaristice is fun and friendly in nature, or alternatively if it is something deeply sinister. After a pleasant start to the album, ‘IO’ jumps in with sinister voice samples and a welcome-to-hell melody. But the beats maintain a fast pace, and the impressive sonic sequencing at the end of the track ensure it remains crazily upbeat. ‘Perlence’ begins with a babyish melody which can again be interpreted as playful, but it is so loud and forced you cannot help but detect a little cynicism. The striking aspect of this song is the dizzying drum programming, which eventually becomes one with the fierce underlying dance beat. The first half of ‘Simmm’ will make most of us roll our eyes; it sounds like they’ve being playing with abrasive children’s toys again, as on their last album with ‘Fermium’. After the chaos dies down though, a steady and disarming kick beat appears and the melodies return in a more meditative form, almost simulating the prehistoric wildlife of an alien planet – a fascinating piece of music.
Despite the diversity on Quaristice, not all of it seems massively inspired or original. ‘WNSM’ and ‘chenc9’, whatever they mean, sound only like half-hearted attempts to make relatively even music sound odd. Various other pieces, like ‘Fol3’ give you an idea of what it feels like to stand in the middle of a hurricane, and come across more as interesting exercises in sound than pieces of music. However, there are some tracks that reward focused listens, especially ‘Tankakern’ and ‘Rale’. Both contain heavy amounts of sub-bass and reverb which put your bowels at risk, but there are some deep and satisfying grooves to be found within the murk and repetition.
Possibly the finest moments on Quaristice, however, are the three ambient pieces at the very beginning and end of the frantic album. They are some of the freshest and most mood-provoking material Autechre have produced for a number of years. Are Autechre on the side of good or evil? The opener ‘Altibzz’ is surely the warmest and most welcoming they have been this decade. But by the time we reach the bitter and mournful affair ‘Notwo’, with its sporadic loud stabs of pain, we are in two minds. Perhaps the closer ‘Outh9X’ will give us some idea of which church Autechre belong to. But after four minutes of building up suspense for what we hope to be a climax, nothing happens. The music fades out with a further three minutes of a ghoulish white noise, and the conclusion is a mystery. Reviewed
by: Rob McG
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