Venetian Snares - Detrimentalist

Venetian Snares. Detrimentalist. 2008. 3.5 stars.

As the slick cover art demonstrates, the latest album from Winnipeg’s Venetian Snares is a symposium of space age sounds, robotic chatter and futuristic breaks. While Venetian Snares’ previous albums My Downfall and Rossz csillag alatt született were rooted in neoclassical compositions, the busy electronica found here leans closer to trip-hop and the caustic sounds of Aphex Twin. With the shift in aesthetics, Detrimentalist is more of a ‘fun’ record that rides sliding oscillations and pitches to all kinds of crazy.

The use of soul, blues and film samples keeps the human element intact amid the technological mayhem, although their use can become somewhat repetitive, acting like a crutch for the wild, drilling beats to fall back on. Aside from these somewhat forced moments, most of Detrimentalist is addictive and hypnotic.

Aaron Funk’s painstaking attention to detail is remarkable, compiling layers upon layers of blips and squawks and squeaks unto each other to form hyperactive bursts of energy. From the chaos comes a compositional consistency that keeps up with the rapid tempo and envelopes you in the strange, video game atmosphere that never lets up. Detrimentalist sounds like the alternative soundtrack to some forgotten Sonic title, or even an episode of Futurama, seen through the bloodshot eyes of an acid fiend. Even though I prefer the darker, more classically inspired VS, longtime fans will surely welcome the lighter side of this album. Look for this if you want a taste of something really different.

Venetian Snares “Gentleman” - set to ‘Death Wish 3′ (lol)

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