platEAU "spacEcakE" Subconscious Communications / Metropolis Records MET 135 SUB 018 1999 (69:10)
Jack Herrer (4:37)
Nam (5:12)
Blueberry (3:35)
Nocruisin (3:47)
Super Silver Haze (5:54)
The Search (2:12)
K2 (2:40)
De Fog (6:49)
Phuket (4:32)
Creature (5:57)
Spacecake (3:32)
Bon Bon Bient (2:43)
Creeper (3:26)
30 Daze (6:56)
Satchel (3:40)
On The Plat (3:38)
Electronics & Engineering by platEAU - Phil Western - cEvin Key, Tim Hill (tracks 6,7,9,12,15), Karin (guest voices on tracks 5,10).
PlatEAU is one of the collaborative efforts of Phil "Philth" Western (Download, Off and Gone) and cEvin Key (Download, ex-Skinny Puppy). The aptly titled 1997 debut album, "Music for Grass Bars", was the minimal, trance inducing product of improvised jam sessions. "Spacecake" is obviously more carefully programmed, sequenced and molded into shape. It still maintains the mellow, tranced out groove feel of the first album only with more variety and texture. Key and Western touch on a little bit of everything here: techno, ambient, noise, trance, funk, house ... you name it and it's probably blended in here somewhere. It sounds to me like a blend of "III"-era Download, Phil Western's solo (see "The Escapist") and "Off and Gone" work, the German Chain Reaction label's minimal ambient and techno styling and a bit of Doubting Thomas' more ominous, soundscape-y pieces. In other words it's just about perfect for an electronic music aficionado like myself. Most tracks are beat driven, with the exception of a few ambient excursions: "The Search", "K2", "Bon Bon Bient", "Satchel" and the final minute or so of "De Fog" and "30 Daze". The others have beats varying from a standard four on the floor to the more complex poly rhythms typical of Download. As usual per Key and Western, the synth and sample work is amazing, all seamlessly programmed and sequenced together into something new and invigorating. My only minor gripes: Karin's unnecessary and slightly annoying guest vocals on "Super Silver Haze" and "Creature", and the track "Phuket" which tediously clicks along too long and doesn't really go anywhere. Still a solid album of electronic music. Key and Western are too talented for their own good, the next Download album should be a monster. "Spacecake" is definitely another candidate for my top 10 of '99 list ...
Subconscious Communications
platEAU
at Metropolis Records
Where did I get this cd? - mail order via Amazon.