Mouse on Mars - Idiology

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Music reviews of Idiology

Music Review: good but not as playful
Rating: 4 Stars

This by far is their least accessible but most mature release to date (I've now purchased ALL of MoM's releases). Whereas other releases firmly demostrated MoM's melodic and ambient dance side, idiology ventures full steam ahead into drill 'n bass and glitch territory combining the clicks and cuts of autechre and the epileptic beats of aphex twin with MoM's melody and dub sensibility. Headphones are HIGHLY recommended for this release due to the complexity of the music that regular speakers can not do justice to. This may possibly be the reason why I disliked idiology so much the first time around. Of the 11 tracks, 7 are keepers: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11. The only way I can explain the sound of `idiology' is think of `distroia' from niun niggung only ten times harsher and more abrasive with live guitars, horns and vocals.

'introduce' cracks me up. The vocals sound like they're being done by 70s blaxploitation star Yapphet Kotto. Very funky and funny.

The reggae tinged `doit' is a happy, poppy number with bob marleyesque vocals and is one of the more accessible moments.

`subsequence' is a funky twist on dance music, MoM style. It's a chock full of clicks, bubbly bleeps, a catchy piano riff, funky vocals and a great bassline. I love the Kraftwerkesque break three minutes in.

The vocal half of `presence' is cool if you read along with the lyrics. The second half of randomly discordant noise is just plain irritating.

`first: break', although it's manic drill'n bass, manages to become one of the most strangely beautiful (and my personal favorite) track of the entire disc. Jarring beats, screechy feedback and, after the "first break", a gorgeous melody layered underneath.

'catching butterflies with hands' is weirdly wonderful with a gorgeous sax solo and `fantastic analysis' sounds like it could have been on Iaora Tahiti with it's simply straight forward laidback polynesian feel.

I must admit the vocals on `presence' are pretty awful but overall I like rest of the vocal tracks. I think the chopped up, shredded to bits effect of the vocals adds an extra dimension to the music although the lyrics ARE pretty non-sensical throughout. Overall idiology does not come together as a whole and lacks the playfulness like previous releases. It's good but not their best

Description of Idiology

Alternative Rock CDs

• Music > Styles
• Dance & Electronic
• Miscellaneous
• Pop