track listing : 0093 [berlin mix]/you’re only sql[bcn mix]/plinth
prior to the much anticipated release of the new full length, further vexations, by re-energised the black dog comes this cracking ep.
combining 2 remixes from the album, and one slab of ambient mellowness, the collective are whetting my appetite somewhat.
i’ll admit that when i saw the track listing i was a little concerned that by using the phrase "berlin mix" that they were surfing on the supposed zeitgeist of the berlin effect aka minimal techno central, but fear not, a quick piece of virtual detective work meant that i was honoured with the following factoid : "it’s called the berlin mix because we remixed it in schönefeld airport…laptops out, wireless on…."
rock-n-roll excess in all its glory.
while the black dog holds a certain air of legendary status due to the influential releases that came out in the early 90s, i would suggest that the current autobahn that the band are travelling along is providing ambient techno that is quite literally perfect (track down last years album radio scarecrow for further evidence of this claim), where the combination of foundation rattling bass production (a sign that they have been listening to dubstep) and ear pleasing melodies never ceases to impress.
such excellence is continued on this 12" ep.
for a start, the "berlin mix" is fantastic.
starting off very quietly, the track soon morphs into a beast of a track with a brilliant combination of modern day speaker moving thump and classic techno bleeps.
think richard h kirk.
think kraftwerk.
think ‘i need to get this’.
second track, while dropping hints that they are all a bunch of database surfing nerds, happens to be a more aggressive slice of techno. audio filters are applied to the predominant synth line, while the beat is underpinned by more of the bands trademark ambience and bleeps. the mood is a lot more dark and distressed, making the track a worthy soundtrack to any dark-n-scary alien shoot’em up session.
rounding off the ep, plinth, is a short but beautiful track that calms and soothes the shredded nerves, providing a perfect ep closer.
the new album is released in exactly one months time.
let the countdown begin.
more detail : here