Black Noise

Pantha Du Prince
Black Noise
9.4 out of 10

There are so many sub-genres of dance music that it threatens to become somewhat a joke trying to pinpoint where an artist falls. Because it is now ridiculously easy for anyone with a laptop and Ableton software to put together music (including your intrepid writer), perhaps this micro-naming serves the purpose of separating the truly musically gifted from the mere technologically savvy (which would include your intrepid writer as well). Most of the artists I have heard lumped into the genre known as minimal-techno fall squarely into the latter category. However, the true artists stand far and above these computer charlatans. One of these artists is Hendrick Weber, who records under the moniker Pantha Du Prince.

Weber's music is deceptively simple. Most of the tracks begin with a very simple drum track and melody, but just as the track threatens to become aural wallpaper he changes tack and it evolves into something wondrously complex. The first track "Lay In A Shimmer" embodies this approach to a T. Building off of found sounds: street noises, crowd sounds, tuning instruments; the music builds off a twinkling synth pattern into a muffled drum pattern and droning bassline. All of the pieces coalesce into a beautiful whole, no one element dominating, each playing off each other perfectly.



This is not to say that every track follows the same pattern. There is a general flow to the cd, (comparable drum patterns, icy synths) but each song is distinctly unique and beautiful. And sometimes, just small variations make a huge difference. "The Splendour" is a perfect example: a shuffling, muted drum track is playfully contrasted with a gamalan-like synth patch, which builds and builds into one of the most dance floor friendly tracks.



Probably the most hyped track on Black Noise is Weber's collaboration with Animal Collective's Panda Bear, "Stick To My Side." There have been criticisms that the track is too cold for Panda bear's warm voice, but I think the two disparate elements complement each other well.



The cd is just stunningly gorgeous; whether it is the delicate and drifting "Welt Am Draht"



or the haunting, beatless "Im Bann."



Black Noise is one of the best cds of the year and will likely end up in my top ten. I understand that words like German and Minimal and Techno tend to have most listeners running for the the hills, however, this cd rewards multiple listens and is not overly schematic or obtuse. I highly recommend this release to those who are electronic music aficionados as well as those who are new to the genre.