a r t i s t : Herrmann & Kleine
t i t l e : Kickboard Girl
d a t e : 2000
l a b e l : Morr Music
c a t : MM007CD
s o u r c e : CDDA
g e n r e : Electronic
r l s. d a t e : Nov/2006
t r a c k s : 06
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 41,0 MB
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Following their contribution to the Putting the Morr Back in
Morrisey Compilation, I was eager to hear what Hermann and
Kleine would do for an encore. Many times I will hear a song
on a compilation and seek out the full length releases of
bands, only to find that the only song that I enjoy by the
band was the one that was put on the compilation. Luckily, in
the case of the Kickboard Girl EP, that is not the case for
Hermann and Kleine.
The fist song, "Kickboard Girl," has a driving beat that
allows the synth melodies and counter-melodies to flourish
underneath. The melodies spiral in and out of focus, as
Hermann and Kleine use the trademark toy piano like sound to
evoke a feeling of youth. This sound has come to be the
trademark of CCO releases and Hermann and Kleine are
definitely coming to be one of the main purveyors of that
aesthetic in IDM. The first song leads directly into the song
"Kickboard Girl (Take Care on the Corner)." It continues using
one of the same synth sounds but a different beat comes in.
The song is much smaller and acts as a nice and more somber
coda to the title track. The beat is once again four/four but
leaves more open space allowing the melody to filter through.
On the third song, Hermann and Kleine attempt to pull of a
Mu-ziq impression. As soft and enveloping as the melodies are,
the drums overpower and offer little to the song besides a
noisy reminder of how better and more well suited the drums
were in the previous song. "My Friend Sam" is the next
offering by the group. The drums die away for the last minute
of the track and fade into what sounds like a guitar strumming
along to a keyboard melody. Warm and rich, "My Friend Sam" is
a perfect lead in to the last pair of songs entitled "Sitting
Next To You" and "Sitting Next To You (Closer)."
The final two are reminiscent of the first two tracks of the
album. Both drums and melody work together on this track to
create a sublime soundscape that ebbs and flows. While this
track doesn't flow into the last song there is a obvious sense
of the same set of sounds being used. This track has a simple
beat that allows the melodies to expand and reach their full
potential.
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01-Kickboard Girl [07:43]
02-Kickboard Girl [Take Care on the Corner] [01:51]
03-May in Fall [03:49]
04-My Friend Sam [02:39]
05-Sitting Next to You [08:24]
06-Sitting Next to You [Closer] [04:09]
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28:35 min