Search - Chaos Ad :: Buzz Caner

Definitely Not Squarepusher

Matthew D. Mercer | 07/31/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you've been introduced to Tom Jenkinson through more recent Squarepusher outings ("Maximum Priest," "Budakhan Mindphone," or "Music is Rotted One Note"), then you may want to sit down for "Chaos A.D." Whether you like his new style or not, this is at the opposite end of the spectrum. No pseudo-jazzy noodling or abstract noise experiments here; this disc hammers you with raw beats from start to finish with (almost) no interruptions."Thin Life" and "Mess Head" set that tone early, but the real meat is in "Mind War Electro," which sounds just like it's title, and "Dreaded Pestilence," which will make your teeth bleed if you listen to it too loud. Imagine a horde of radioactive insects eating away at your skull and you'll have nailed the mood of the latter track. There are a couple of short breathers, and good ones too; the best being "Psultan." This one does sound like Squarepusher of old, and again lays down hard evidence of Tom's melodic sensibilities. If you can find it, pick up the Buzz Caner remix EP (on vinyl only) for the fabulous Squarepusher remix of "Psultan," if nothing else. Why the rest of that EP is made up of three mixes of "Bioslate," maybe the least interesting track on BC, is beyond me. Still, a good complement to this album.If you've heard much Aphex, then maybe this will help as a point of reference. "Classics" is to "I Care Because You Do" as "Buzz Caner" is to "Hard Normal Daddy." It's raw, abrasive, and well worth your $15."

Crunchy, crunchy, crunchy

M. Hilton | Indianapolis, IN United States | 01/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Tom "Squarepusher" Jenkinson at his frantic, abrasive best. "Davey's Safety Lamp" has a dash of his formidable bass guitar chops, and another couple of cuts harken back to his Stereotype days, but the rest is on a par with the noisier bits on Selection Sixteen or Big Loada. It sounds like a grab bag of odds and ends, but in this case that's good. "Generation S***" is a hilarious bash at rave culture that will have IDM'ers stomachs hurting from laughter. I can't say enough about what a pleasant surprise this album was when I found it in a bargain bin. This is one of Jenks' two or three must-own efforts."

Blistering and loud

Matthew D. Mercer | Chicago, IL United States | 01/11/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tom Jenkinson throws us a curve ball with the Chaos AD alias. Don't expect Squarepusher here... there's hardly a jazz hint in sight. This is furious electro jamming, lots of grindy 303 lines, hammering Jenkinson drum programming, and even a cheeky vocal track. It's easily one of the best things he's ever put on tape, giving Big Loada a run for its money sheerly based on "Buzz Caner"'s ferocity."