Pole "3" Matador Records Ole 428-2 2000 (54:21)
Silberfisch (6:36)
Taxi (7:11)
Karussell (6:41)
Überfahrt (8:04)
Rondell Zwei (7:01)
Klettern (8:04)
Strand (7:32)
Fohienfurz (3:11)
Pole is Berliner Stefan Betke and this is the aptly named third album in just over a year's time. "3" continues all of the Pole traditions: numerical title, a primary colored digipack (in this case a bright, cheery yellow) and simple one word titles (German for Silver Fish, Carousel, Climb, Beach, etc) for association purposes. Musically not much else has changed either. Betke continues to construct syncopated digital dub rhythms soaked in the random crackles and line noise provided by his reputedly broken Waldorf filter ... fuzzy, spacious atmospheres for deep, repetitive bass lines. Is Pole an evolving artist or a one trick pony? Both really. "3" is a bit different in that it incorporates barely audible voices and field recordings into the background and more scattered snatches of melody in the foreground. The difference is not drastic by any means with headphones almost being a necessity to even notice it. But most importantly the tracks are just as good as those from "1" and "2". A variety of tempos are represented and a nice balance is struck between traditional dub and modern glitch experimentalism. The feel, despite being digital, is warm and inviting and the rhythms more for the mind than the dance floor. What else is there to say? If you want more, here it is. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, Betke does to set the next album apart from it's predecessors ...
Where did I get this cd? - mail order via Riouxs Records.