45. Datasette

Datasette by Datasette
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you just want to turn on something to play in the background while you're working or keeping busy, Datasette offers up 10 entirely electronic, instrumental tracks on his album that make it easy.

These tracks are glitchy and similar to Aphex Twin. It's a little like being trapped in a computer program. "Running Away" reminds me of a race car game with the spacey, halted synths and heavy lashing noise. I mean, the way I see it, they could have used this album for the soundtrack to Tron.

"Minus Fourteen" is probably the strongest track with a very quick, consistent rhythm along with an atmospheric and expansive electronic melody that is likable and catchy. It's great driving music. "Vapour Trails" is a little strange. It sounds almost like a process of some sort being done in a highly mechanized environment because many of the elements repeat, such as the dialed up melodic repetition of the main theme.

"Box" is like electroshock therapy. It's a very short piece that breaks off quite suddenly and unexpectedly to set you up for "Worms", which reminds me of an 80s arcade video game. I visualize "Centipede" when I hear this song. The electronic "thwack" in this song is like a ball being hit by a tennis racket inside of a computer (if that could ever happen). It's certainly distinct.

"Fallblattanzeige" is dreamy with an echoing background to start with, and then does away with that element to introduce short, mechanically precise, staccato electronic effects that repeat over and over again. Like I said, this music is good to listen to if you have to do something in repetition. It will help you pace yourself.

"Damage Report" is somewhat haunting in it's secretiveness as if it's only partially revealing itself.

Datasette is a pretty obscure and generally not well-known electronic artist, but his stuff is interesting and is good as filler when you don't want to think too hard about what you're listening to. It kind of trances you out.

Track listing:

1. Running Away
2. Minus Fourteen
3. Vapour Trails
4. Box
5. Worms
6. Pluck
7. Fallblattanzeige
8. Damage Report
9. Remains
10. Melting Faces

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Who is Datasette?