Search - To Rococo Rot :: Amateur View

Enjoyable and Intelligent Electronic Music

Michael Heumann | El Centro, CA USA | 07/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While borrowing certain experimental sounds from the likes of Autechre, these German lads nevertheless manage to make music immediately listenable, immediately enjoyable, and unquestioningly excellent. This album is the happy medium between frosty chill-out music (Global Communication, Aphex's ambient stuff) and intense drill-press music (Solar X, Autechre). From the first track, "I Am in the World with You," to the masterful "Tomorrow," to the even more masterful "Cars," to the final track, "Das Blau und der Morgen," this album is stark, beautiful, esoteric, and hummable. Yes, hummable! Weird sounds mix with lush atmospherics to create sounds that you actually find yourself thinking about long after you've finished listening. Not only that, but each song on this album is under 5 minutes in length. How many electronic albums can you say that about?"

Music to woo your computer

Richard Diaz | 05/16/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Plonks, Blips, and beeps, these are the sounds of To Rococo Rot, but instead of the usual programmed whonkery they make a beautiful, warm brand of techno. This is the melancholy music your computer would listen to as the sun sets. Or these days, the soundtrack to a VW Beetle ad. The palette of instruments is essentially the same on each song, with drums, synth melodies, occasional strings or acoustical guitar backing up the various bleepery. Occasionally the band resemble early Autechre ("This Sandy Piece") or grate more than fascinate ("She loves Animals") , but as a whole they succeed in bringing warmth to cold machinery. And at a little over 40 minutes, they get their point across without getting too monotonous."

Quality electronic music to fit any mood.

Adam Carroll | 04/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After first hearing of this German trio when they collaborated with Saint Etienne, I decided to pick up a copy of their CD. "A three-man explosion of electronic excellence," proclaimed the sticker next to the price tag. I shrugged and decided to give it a try. I put The Amateur View on as background to what I was doing, and I'm not sure if I ever really heard the music. Instead, it just sort of melted into the general atmosphere of the room. It was only when the CD had finished that I realized the music had actually invaded my subconscious. I wanted more. Upon closer listening, one can hear distinctions between the songs. "Tomorrow" has an apprehensive edge to it; "She Loves Animals" has a certain wild feel; and the single "Cars" is just an obliviously happy little number. Permeating all the songs, though, is a sense of calm. With the exception of a few bursts of static, the music is unobtrusive and quiet, blipping away at a casual, unconcerned pace. I wouldn't call it ambient, though, with the exception of the last two tracks; there's too much going on in the songs. The music reminds me a little of Autechre, but without the drill-press mentality that some of their work possesses. Well, whatever genre this fits in, The Amateur View is a winner. After the 42 minutes of playing time had finished, I clicked the mouse and started the CD again. I didn't know to what place To Rococo Rot had taken me with their music - all I knew was that I was definitely not ready to leave. Not until I listened just one more time..."