Only the fourth release by Vancouver's already impressive More Than Human Records, the Treacherous Orb EP by Time Attendant makes few attempts to satiate the dance floor. Instead, London-based A/V artist Paul Snowdon showcases a cerebral approach to electronic music, tipping his cap to a lineage of knob-twiddling pioneers dating back decades.
"Voiders Delight" sounds like early '60s experimental electronic music, with off-kilter blips and unsettling synthetic whines, while "Cloud Dowsing" has a classic Italian horror movie soundtrack vibe. "The Hexapod Star Shuffle" arguably recalls the vocal modulations of Barry Truax and Paul Lansky as it mixes the surrealistic imagery of British poet Dolly Dolly into sci-fi sweeps and percolating drones, with deep bas and a brief ringing of church bells adding to its post-apocalyptic feel. The opening track "Iridium Watcher" is one of the EP's most beat-driven, with delay-laden field recording manipulations, industrial hum, and a synth progression reminiscent of the Terminator theme evolving over a sluggish beat. There is the implication in "Lethargy Quest" that a beat might erupt, but, instead, it resolves to a droning background bass line, chair squeaks and ratchet sounds, like a Future Sound of London deconstruction circa ISDM.
All these influences and connotation lend the Treacherous Orb EP a timeless feel, and should put More Than Human on the radar of true electronic music geeks worldwide.
(More Than Human)"Voiders Delight" sounds like early '60s experimental electronic music, with off-kilter blips and unsettling synthetic whines, while "Cloud Dowsing" has a classic Italian horror movie soundtrack vibe. "The Hexapod Star Shuffle" arguably recalls the vocal modulations of Barry Truax and Paul Lansky as it mixes the surrealistic imagery of British poet Dolly Dolly into sci-fi sweeps and percolating drones, with deep bas and a brief ringing of church bells adding to its post-apocalyptic feel. The opening track "Iridium Watcher" is one of the EP's most beat-driven, with delay-laden field recording manipulations, industrial hum, and a synth progression reminiscent of the Terminator theme evolving over a sluggish beat. There is the implication in "Lethargy Quest" that a beat might erupt, but, instead, it resolves to a droning background bass line, chair squeaks and ratchet sounds, like a Future Sound of London deconstruction circa ISDM.
All these influences and connotation lend the Treacherous Orb EP a timeless feel, and should put More Than Human on the radar of true electronic music geeks worldwide.