Reviews - ALbums
telefon tel aviv
immolate yourself
released: 23 january 2009
label: bpitch control
what we think: immaculate...i definitely need more of this.
by kid dub
telefon tel aviv are one of those musical acts that i can never see myself tiring off. they are to me what hendrix is the guitar fanatic. their music is timeless in the world of electronic music. so much so that their first album still gets repeated plays at home today.
'immolate yourself' starts out beautifully. an overdriven hum begins our 46 minute journey. the chord structure is undeniable and typical TTV. The detail is endless, so subtle and yet incredibly intricate. The production value is one to be commented on. The balance of the highs, mids against the low and subs is perfect. The weight and presence of every sound is presented perfectly in crystal clarity.
if their last album was slick r&b with style, then this is electro retro new wave gone chic.
there is a very European vibe to this album. An almost forgotten 80’s artrock. Something so clear in bands like orchestral Manoevers in the dark & joy division. But its just a hint. The Heavy punchy reverberated snares take me back to my early childhood days. This album is also fun !
the star of the album undeniably is ‘you are the worst thing in the world’. Just about everyone has been using this track in sets. For me its not the best track in the album but after listening to the entire thing You cant help but keep humming every bit of its melodic construct. It’s the most popish of all the tracks but still retains its cool by being to cleverly written.
this is a very vocal album. for those who are put off by vocal music,rest easy. ttv have made every vocal contribution as important as every instrument
and sound used. every vocal element is come across more as an instrument rather than the means of conveying what are often poorly written lyrics.
i hold ttv dear to my heart. Joshua Eustis and charles cooper are two producers who keep their sound interesting by evolving. Something few dare to do, for fear of failing and ttv show no sign of even making a mistake. This is a must have album.
TRACKLIST
the birds
your mouth
m
helen of troy
mostly translucent
stay away frin being maybe
made a tree on the wold
your every idol
you are the worst thing in the world
immolate yourself
