Search - Vainqueur :: Elevations

Deep, rich experimental techno

The Blue Raja | 08/25/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"about half cool, dark pieces with quiet layers of repeating staticy melodic loops; the other half is the same sort of sound, but set against serious deep beats. undescribably beautiful, quite funky. Almost has a disco flavour to it at times, but in a good way. similar to porter ricks self titled album (not port of nubia)"

Techno music for aliens.

The Blue Raja | MD, USA | 04/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another tin box release on Chain Reaction that is an essential part of your minimal techno music collection. Vainqueur (also seen on Basic Channel) offers an oxymoronic flavor of cold synth exuding warm tones. Fans of Porter Ricks and the like will not be disappointed, but what I find actually more appealing about Vainqueur is the swaying, if you will, of their synth sounds. The "Elevation" tracks in particular sound as if about six keys on a keyboard were stroked up and down with a sustain petal helping the transitions blend in a whoosh effect, up and down the scale. This is done very tastefully, and in a muted dubby fashion. These swooshes also sound similar to the sound effect used in the science fiction movie Contact (Jodie Foster) where the communication from the alien race created a repetitious, yet synth-rich, bass-laden pulse. Can you expect variety on this CD? Yes and no. I feel like this album is more like a 12" remix release but with enough versions to make you feel like you got your money's worth. I would not expect complete, different tracks throughout the entire piece (hence the similar titles), however the works that do exist are strong enough to warrant multiple versions. But fear not, an Elevations II "Reduced" and Elevations II "Version 3" are completely different songs, and if you have the EFA Basic Channel CD, you'll happily recognize the ambient electric raindrops of "Elevations [Version 3]."The overall feel of this album is one of a chilling, tinty, metallic score laced with high frequencies, almost as if the sound was literally coming out of the metal tin the CD is encased in. "Solanus" contains an almost-human vocoder sound, or synthetic vox element throughout, that again, sways and whooshes, adding an icy chill to the mix. Perhaps Elevations was produced in an icy cavern, or on another planet, but this album should not be overlooked, and I believe it ranks in the top 5 of best IDM/techno releases available. I'll even be bold enough to say that Vainqueur's 'Elevations' is the best Chain Reaction CD ever released."