REVIEW: Pan sonic, A (Mute/Blast First)
- Simon Speichert
The group formerly known as Panasonic (the name was changed for obvious copyright reasons) has outdone themselves. About 8 months ago, I picked up a copy of their last album, Kulma. I was astounded. Bleeps and bloops mixed with harsh abrasive sounds, all from homemade synthesizers and tone generators. That, in a sentence, was how you could describe Pan sonic. That has now changed.
Pan sonic has moved forward with their sound, although I speculate whether that was by choice or force. A friend remarked to me how many albums the group could sell if they'd just use conventional beats; most rhythms in their music are based on different tones. I replied that, although it might compromise their integrity, it would definitely mark a change in their style, although at the time, I was unsure whether that change would be for better or for worse. It turned out to be better.
A consists of 17 tracks, about eighty percent of them in the style that was previously so prevalent. The remainder of the disc paradoxically moves forward, rather than sticking to the past; there are 3 tracks with actual drum beats in them. More complex melodies exist than before. The group is definitely merging different styles, in a post modern-rock world that shows the diversity possible when one puts their mind to it.
If you're looking for electronic music with unusual rhythms that continually pushes the envelope, A is just right for you.
