tri repetae

this review originally appeared in issue seven of magic feet magazine, dated november nineteen ninety five

More otherwordly sounds, this time from Machester's premier electronic explorers,. Originally surfacing on the first Warp 'Artificial Intelligence' compilation, it was arguably not iuntil the release of their second album, 'Amber', released late last year, that Autechre managed to distance themselves from the plethora of post-Aphex Twin activity. HAving succesfully forged an invidual identity in their own right and in the process become an indispensibele part of the electronica family, 'Tri Repetae' sees them stamp their authority firmly on Britain's musical landscape. Taking their trademark combination of hip-hop beats and vast cinmatic soundscapes to a new level, 'Tri Repetae' is the sound of growing maturity, fo possibilities being taken to their logical conclusions, and of pure genius. Some selected highlights: 'Stud's Wes Montgomery-sounding guitar sample; the way 'Eutow's analogu orgasm climaxes in a speaker shattering bass sweep; 'Overand's minimalist broadcast (out Sakhoing Sakho); and 'Clipper's consummate perfection (reversed record scratcing sounds giving way to one funky electronic workout topped off with fleeting glimpses of 'the melody of the Gods'). What links all the tracks is the apparent effortlessness of it all, and the knowledge that Sean and Rob have taken the tools of their trade to the limits. The only question that remains is where do they go from here? We shall have to wait for the imminent tour/ 'difficult' next album to provide some of their answers. Until then, bask in the indisposible treasure that is 'Tri Repetae'.