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artist · gridlock
release · the synthetic form
year · 1998
genre · techno-industrial
label · pendragon records
catalogue · 085-43822
date · 29-jun-2003
quality · 195kbps/44,1khz/VBR
source · compact disc
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01 frantic 3:58
02 halo (rebirth) 3:19
03 iii 2:01
04 sickness 4:53
05 v 0:53
06 pulvis et umbra sumus 3:15
07 vii 0:53
08 retina 3:17
09 wound 5:16
10 x 1:17
11 burn 6:03
12 ich dien 6:23
13 xiii 2:53
14 only living witness 4:18
15 thin white line 4:48
16 regret 5:51
17 burn (mantra) 5:49
18 frantic (stark-raving mad) 3:53
playtime · 01h 09m 00s
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the synthetic form represents the first full-length release by the
san fransisco duo gridlock and is, by any standard, an astonishing
debut. powerful, dark, melodic, and thoughtful, gridlock has
produced a product which implies the hand and ear of an expert
craftsman. dark, alas, is something of an understatement. this
album is a cauldron of swirling black pitch, which drinks in
thought and emotion.
gridlock's general musical form is classical in tone, flowing
melodies punctuated by intense percussive, extremely aggressive
beats. entirely synthetic, and aggressively so, attempts to mimic
strings has been abandoned for obviously electronic tones which,
nevertheless, produce a curiously organic net effect. the vocals
are distorted to varying degrees, lyrics often quite obscure; a
sparing and cautious use of samples which can only be commended.
attempting to identify groups with an analogous flavour is
difficult - the closest i can offer is some early mentallo and the
fixer, though while the actual musical construction is radically
divergent, the common motif of harsh and gentle musical elements
are comparable. the range in tempos, track to track, is
significant, an effective alternation of rapid and more calculated
paces, but not the underlying drive, this album possesses an
underlying emotion which driven, and relentless.
a glance at the track listing may imply an interesting underlying
structural feature of this album, songs are designed to drift, one
into another, in a nearly seamless manner. a number of short,
unnamed tracks (1-2 minutes in duration) serve as transitions
between otherwise abrupt changes in mood and pace. the net effect
is to produce an effectively integrated whole; this album flows
smoothly and is ideally suited to listening within a single
session. the temptation to listen to a single track in my
experience, is minimal - rather the whole album serves as a single
dish. the final two remix tracks are the exception but not
intrusive.
Notice: this is an internal vbr release.. bb.
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