Finally, an album that takes one giant step toward tangibility. On the eight tracks from the difficultly brilliant Sun Pandämonium, Hecker explores all available colors of sound. With his laptop wizardry, virtually every sound is stripped of contextualization and is manipulated so the listener feels the varying gravity of the music. Listen closely to track three and you'd swear that this is a recording of music consolidating into the middle of the room and then plopping down on your bedroom floor. At one moment, the electronic dust seems to float in a stagnant bliss-- another moment, the dust morphs into polychromatic marbles that drop to the ground and bounce all over the place. It's as if you are viewing sound from different angles, and if you were to swipe your hand through the air, you'd collect tiny dust particles of sound. Easy listening it's not. In fact, it's one of the most difficult albums I have heard this year, but that doesn't imply drones and moans or static minimalism. The dynamic range is enormous and the tessitura (range of tones) is virtually endless. Whereas some electronic albums require immense concentration, Sun Pandämonium doesn't need an active listener -- it thrives on its ability to frighten and surprise, engaging you with the music whether you like it or not. It's non-negotiable, uncompromising, but I guarantee you'll love every minute of it. Electronic music for those suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder? I think so. One of the best electronic albums of the year? I know so.
1. Bsf°tyk 5
2. Stocha Acid Zlook
3. jxean-z Character Generator
4. Lulliski¯Sz Sim Con
5. Protog-Eepp-Forma-Quack
6. ? Chant/? P. Groy
7. Quantum Spark Reality [Recherche-Création-Diffusion Mix]
8. Vi Retrospect
More about: Hecker
