Igloomag.com REVIEW ::
Pietro Da Sacco | 12/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"REVIEW BY: John Reveles at igloomag.com
(03.06.05) I can still recall the day my Lost Subject 12" arrived via UPS at my office. My boss signed for it when I had stepped out for a quick second and as he walked up to my cubicle, he said "your Commemorative Elvis plates have arrived" with a snickering tone like he knew what was waiting for me inside the large flat cardboard container. I got over my embarrassment quickly after discovering I had been sent one of 500 copies on gold vinyl. Elvis would be glad for me, especially now that Merck has released an expanded version of Lost Subject on CD with a welcoming blend of fresh new tracks mixed in with selections from the excellent original.
Deceptikon paints his world with strokes of sound from a wide palette of found clips and snips all applied with a skewed clip-hop groove rooted in melodic jazzy downtempo. "Chords Beats Coffee" dishes out its delicacies exactly in the order the title implies with stuttering samples of strings followed by casual beats, then chunky pads form the bass line, only to be digitally scrambled midway through the second course. "Autumnstorm" has an Asian-flavored hip-hop vibe minus the tiresome rapper with a couple of 99-cent throwaway rhymes in his notebook while "Figural Phonograph" demonstrates the possibilities of what occurs when you stumble across quality virtual turntablism. My favorites from the original 12" are here as well; "Treeghost" starts off with eerie Yma Sumac-like vocals then subtly switches gears to old- school funky urban beats while "Way of the Samurai" twists and contorts a music box sample over more old-school beats and finally, the smoky "Bossanovastyle A" still makes me thirst for cool cocktails in a crowded lounge.
If Lost Subject doesn't make you a believer of Deceptikon, then his brilliant live shows recently featured in the Raiders Of The Lost Crunk tour - as well as his status as Portland's first laptop battle winner - surely will."
Real Nice Laid back album
Skiznod Boy Wonder | Ann Arbor, Michigan | 10/13/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I realise this is a really long Review as I went through every notable track and a number of other elements in the CD but, as I was the first Reviewer of the album, I think it makes up for lack of space. Enjoy:
I can't imagine many People have actually heard of deceptikon and I myself wouldn't have if not for staying up till three listening to college radio stations. Zack Wright is his real name and in my opinion he's the one of the more talented musicians out there in instrumental hip-hop. I classify "Lost Subject" as hip-hop because of the drum beats and sampling. and this albums filled with excellent sampled loops and some awesome drum breaks.
The atmosphere of the album I found difficult to describe as it appealled to me so very much but I've gotta say that certain tracks do sound similar to A bit of prefuse 73. Not in the glitch aspect other than "Inaccesibilty" but in it's pace and style. It's also notable that the music is quite simple, Listening to it over there aren't more than 4 (approx.) different layers on each track and each one usually consists of a drum beat to help you along, a paceing beat (keeping the tempo) and a unique sample.
Going over the tracks (I'm listening to them right now) I'd have to say my favorites were: "Narcissus" with it's high pitch but still relaxing rings and slow to start beat (not to mention the bass you can get off during parts), Autumn Storm with it's well manipulated samples, "Germanic" for its highly atmospheric sound (made me feel like I was out in the pines on a cold day), "Treeghost" with its changing theme, "The last Four Things" for its Excellent bass (and this time I mean the instrument) and slightly psychedelic feel, "Figural Phonograph" thanks to Simplicity (This track probably reminded me the most of Prefuse 73), "Way of the Samurai" is a total stand out that brings you back to hearing music boxes as a young child mixed with a nice drum beat and a touch of badass. This track really reminded alot of the old film "Seven Samurai" in it's moods (The one guy with the big sword and the attitude really suited the "dark" break) and understanding of... the way of the samurai. "Ox Conservatory" got off to an excellent start that made me think of a both Prefuse in its psuedo-glitch and a bit of Rjd2 in its overall style It slows down as it progresses but still is a solid track. "Bossanova style A" was a track that inspired me to share with my mother, a woman who can't be kept away from some CD's older than frank sinatra, as I doubt my generation will ever really aprecciate it's very laid back loop (forgot the instrument) and plain jazzy sound. Veracity is free for download at www.deceptikon.net so be sure to check it out as its an interesting start to getting this CD.
I really enjoyed this album and after all this typing (I'm trying to "spread awareness") I have to recommend that people atleast visit the mans website and hear some samples (under the store page). If you ever loved the Jet Set Radio Future soundtrack mixed with a quieter sound then I'm willing to bet you'll like this. The mans my idol."
