Artist: Oliver Ho and Tommy Gillard Present Atlas
Title: Music For Pylons
Label: Wires
Catalog #: WIRES002
Genre: Tech-House
Release Date: June 28, 2010
Rating: 7
Oliver Ho's Wires label has already thrown down the gauntlet with Raudive's Total Pure EP, showing a predilection for experimental grooves that carries over to Atlas' Music For Pylons. Oliver Ho and longtime friend Tommy Gillard team up for two warp-inspired bangers and their spaced-out side dishes of ambient abstraction, trading in a bit of the bang for a stress test of new sounds.
Rails appears at first to be a traditional floor banger with a persistent glitch spike thrown in for good measure, but the build is soon joined by a punchy analog accompaniment that shifts through various keys as the track continues. Well-manicured claps and distant symbols flash in and out, as if Ho and Gillard are actively testing sounds to see what works. The overall composition becomes extremely active very quickly, and it is not uncommon for a rogue synth line or single clap to make one appearance before vanishing forever. It's a credit to Atlas that the track doesn't overwhelm, remaining functional while preserving its unique melody.
Liquid penetrates far deeper wavelengths, with traditionally deep house vibes that experiment with a crunchy clap-centric percussion. IDM pops and snaps fire off in the background while vocal samples that sound like Geoffrey Holder making guttural moans cut in every few seconds to amplify the groove. The track screams warehouse, but has enough personality to stand apart as a separate venture.
Both tracks are joined on their respective sides by ambient counterparts. Rails Pairs on the A side with Tract, an experiment in soundplay that pushes rolling waves of glitch over creaking doors and robotic breathing. The B side's Wooden Hill floats calmly through space as traditionally filler sounds shine like an electric constellation, merging and interplaying with babies gurgling and whooshes of air. The pairs serve as a sort of palate cleanser between tech-house tracks, but are both fun outings that likely represent more technical experimentation on the part of Ho and Gillard.
-Jared Rosen
Tracks:
A1) Rails
A2) Tract
B1) Liquid
B2) Wooden Hill
Strong album (love the
We need more education out
thanks for the wonderful
Absolutly bangin mix phil
Great Mix... Love hearing
VERY NICE