I guess Junior Varsity KM, and some others of his ilk, recently got labelled as students of the My Bloody Valentine school of drum and bass. I don't really know why. I don't see the touch of Kevin Shields at all in the music. Instead, I see a bigger influence by one Richard D. James, better known as Aphex Twin. The music on Style for Life greatly reminds me of Aphex Twin's "Girl/Boy Song" or "Flim" rather than anything MBV ever wrote.
At times, these songs sound almost too much like Aphex Twin's "lighter" stuff. These songs exhibit the same playful use of melody and beat, the drum patterns phasing in and out, growing more and more off-balance, all the while underpinning pleasant synth noodlings.
On "Asleep Symphony," the music seems almost pensive, like it's trying to watch you sleep and not wake you up. The beats slowly fade in, and even then, they stay muted. About 3 minutes into the song, it all picks up, as if the sun is shining through the blinds and the alarm clock is ringing, except this time, you're ready to face the day. The album closer, "The Party Where You Cry" should instead be titled "Bikeride In The Country" because that's what I hear. Its incredibly bouncy melody just sticks in your mind. Then the song begins to meander around and around before returning to the original melody. You're along for the ride, the sun is high, the flowers are blooming, and you don't care.
Lincoln just got about a foot of snow last night, which is probably why I'm enjoying this album so much. Well, to be honest, I've had it for a couple of weeks, but all of the snow and cold make me appreciate this album a lot more. I'd like to take this album on a long drive through the country with the top down, and just soaking up the spring.
Similar sounding releases
2000TechnicolorNormal Control Range (Bliss Out Vol. 16)
1998Secret Archives of the VaticanReformation
1999PlaidRest Proof Clockwork
1999TleilaxuGenetherapy
1998Love Spirals DownwardsFlux
1999MobyPlay
