17. Dreaming – BT
This is not normally my music. I’m not particularly antagonistic toward the genre, but by the same token, there’s little in this branch of house music that holds my interest. At all.
Having said that, Brian Transeau — aka BT — approaches the form as a sound designer, rather than the more typical synth-collecting knob twiddler who creates opportunities for dancefloor psychological escapism. In fact, more than any other representative of the genre, BT’s music warrants close listening.
By way of comparison, a jazz musician improvises within a theme, exploring the song and pushing against the boundaries to see what the instrument of choice can contribute. BT’s instrument of choice is the software editing programme ProTools — and with that approach, the possibilities are pretty well limitless.
In other words, BT makes well-constructed dance tunes and throws in a ProTools solo.
He’s also got a nice way with chords — and he uses every element of the track, including the vocals, as raw material with which to go back and make new sounds out of. He’s indisputably very, very clever. And sometimes that’s enough to win me over.
But I think mostly, this is just an aberration for me. I love this album to bits without liking this type of music.
Even so, it’s not particularly typical of the style. In fact, the album’s quite diverse. He even picks up an acoustic guitar and sings by the end of the record — and proves his ability to knock out a really decent pop tune.
But most importantly, the record contains some mind-bending stereoscopic electrickery. Whatever you do, sit between the speakers, ensure the neighbours are out, and make sure you listen to this loud. Really, really LOUD.
It’s a long track — but give it a chance. If you think it’s probably not your sort of thing, I do recommend you at least give it a good 5 or 6 minutes before giving up. There are some real sonic treats in here.
If, on the other hand, this piques your interest, the title track ‘Movement in Still Life’ and ‘Mercury & Solace’ are both amazing pieces of electronic workmanship — and ‘Madskillz – Mic Chekka’ will turn your brain inside out.
