Astrobotnia - Part 03

Label: Rephlex
Year: 2002
Styles: Ambient Techno, IDM

Review: (Allmusic.com)

When Rephlex Records first hit the scene in the early '90s, the albums had vague labels and little (if any) liner notes, featuring green covers and a coveted "certain sound" -- a low-profile, mid-budget, high-concept, irreverent science fiction "braindance" with a cryptic logo and a commitment to staying fiercely independent. The label has been home to most of England's trendsetters (often the rule breakers), and has increased its wingspan to host a variety of styles whose only common theme is "eclectic-tronic." At a time when computer programmers have infiltrated the music industry, it's particularly satisfying to have the Astrobotnia trilogy arrive on the scene. It reminds listeners that technology alone doesn't make music -- musicians do. Anonymity has been a longstanding tradition for the Aphex Twin label, and a particular strength in terms of creating demand. This time out, the demand is justifiable regardless. The publicity department is being typically tight-lipped about who's manning the consoles, but listeners familiar with Aleksi Perälä (aka Ovuca) may be nodding their heads in recognition. To further fuel the rumors, Perälä has played Astrobotnia material on tour. Tracks like "B," "Acidophilus II," and "Thoarse" are late-night raves for jellyfish -- shimmering ambience floats beneath hiccuping drum kits and rusted rubber basslines, trading off among degrees of acid, satellite telemetry, and haunted laptops. "Portable Motor Home" flutters about with equal parts playfulness and mystery, throwing calliope pipes, water drops, bike spokes, low-frequency wobbles, and Robert Fripp-like washes of electric clouds in a blender full of breakbeats. Throughout Pt. 3, the percussion samples add a rich froth that bubbles in complexity. The polyrhythms within "Drops" and "Bifidus" switch up as often as the most difficult Autechre tracks, but here the warmth of synthesized embryonic fluid holds the pieces together, keeping the listener engaged rather than alienated. "Leftovers" is a gorgeous expansion of space, overlooking rivulets of snare rushes that giggle and snarl in the earbones. "Esther Calling Jennifer" unfurls a flag of static that's glittered with bells and stunning beats, and "C*Nt" is a fascinating jungle daydream, sputtering frantically out of control like the last Squarepusher album, but softened in a loving analog embrace à la Boards of Canada. Consistently rewarding as it disorients in déjà vu, Astrobotnia does everything right, delivering not only a fascinating third installment, but the updated Rephlex sound for the next decade.
- Glenn Swan (Allmusic Guide)


Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/119146465/Astrobotnia_-_Part_03.rar

Astrobotnia - Part 02

Label: Rephlex
Year: 2002
Styles: Ambient Techno, IDM

Review: (Allmusic.com)

The second installment of the Astrobotnia series showcases the darker side of both parties involved. First for the artist, spraying the speakers with six untitled "Braindance" ear-twisters that veer away from the somewhat softer bubble bath of Pts. 1 and 3. Second, for its host, Rephlex Records, who usually pull off projects like this with a sort of grace -- barely identifiable releases that send collectors into a frenzy by limited distribution and undisclosed composer credits. Flying below radar like this would be dangerous, were it not for such good material. From the start, the sound of Pt. 2 has more in common with label mate (and co-founder) AFX, placing heavier responsibility on ground-shaking drum tracks and acid-blotted sequencers. The melodic elements on this treasured slice of wax are much more subdued; the sweet lullabies and lush ambience play a supporting role for the most part. Side one is a nail-biter of rhythms -- too much for most dancefloors, unless you have five legs. Squeals of organic-sounding sci-fi arm wrestle with an entire factory of drum machines, garnished with harmonic afterthoughts. The first track on side two is especially rewarding; those infamous James Brown yelps get pressed through ring modulators, underscoring epic ambient chords and legendary drum loops that have stood the test of time in terms of popularity. The results have a curious effect; nostalgia from a side view. Track five presses together humming bass sweeps with a great deal of sputtering foreign dialogue that's as ear-tickling as the jungle beats that loom overhead. The record ends with a hyperspeed groove -- an overstuffed incubator of robot bugs, bursting at the seams with every snare rush and synthesizer depth charge. Overall, this release is somewhere between Bogdan Raczynski's drill'n'bass and a Lactavent-era Ovuca. Astrobotnia may be more melodic elsewhere, but here the listeners get to the blackened, gnarled roots of IDM on a label that practically invented it. This is Rephlex doing what it does best, which means it might be hard to find a copy.
- Glenn Swan (Allmusic Guide)


Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/119085791/Astrobotnia_-_Part_02.rar

Astrobotnia - Part 01

Label: Rephlex
Year: 2002
Styles: Ambient Techno, IDM

Review: (Allmusic.com)

A very satisfying first installment in the anonymously credited Astrobotnia trilogy, released on Rephlex Records. The label has found (or cultivated) a good thing here, in much the same way Richard James spearheaded the label's secrecy with early aliases like Martin Trezidder and Q-Chastic. Ten years later, the torch gets passed with a fresh splash of petrol. Astrobotnia, Pt. 1 is a warm hybrid of familiar and disparate elements, like a jellyfish with claws or a blue snowman on wheels. In the same way Boards of Canada sneaks out samples of recognition (even nostalgia), Astrobotnia spoons out disorienting but recognizable textures, set like precious stones within a framework of sputtering percussion tracks -- accomplished tempo-twisters that resemble plastic, aluminum, rubber, glass, and, yes, sometimes even actual drums. "Lightworks" opens the disc with wonder and mystery; an expansive blackberry sky bursting with fireworks and spectator awe. The channel switches to plasma feedback and bass chords yawning through half-speed breakbeats on "Hallo." The drums start shuffling into the upper atmosphere with "Everyone," as a not-so-friendly gentlemen shares his thoughts amidst treacherous chords of ambience. Tracks like "Acidophilus" and "Sweden" are electronic lullabies of crisp Sunday mornings -- the type Ovuca might have -- and groovebox rhythms that range from subdued countertop thumping to lazertag shoot-outs. "Untitled" is a beeping little pingpong of hip-hop and string samples, and "The Wing Thing" keeps a similar (but heavier) groove with whiney clusters of keyboards à la Global Goon. "Miss June" follows next, and its classic Rephlex: simple, gloomy synth melodies negotiating with squelches of acid and a dash of creepy playfulness. The disc closes with "Applause," featuring the obvious group noise, as well as a strange out-of-tune piano and vocals gurgling through a manic ring modulator. This fascinating reward of an album, and really all three albums, is due to a successful marriage of textures: barbed, crunchy beats wrapped in harmonic threads, then dipped in stardust. It's Eno and Lanois' gorgeous Apollo soundtrack remixed by Funkstörung, and an outstretched hand into the future. Essential.
- Glenn Swan (Allmusic Guide)


Link: http://rapidshare.com/files/116708077/Astrobotnia_-_Part_01.rar