Teebs: Ardour

Teebs
Ardour
Rating: Grrrr

Unfortunately, there is absolutely no way to review this record without mentioning Flying Lotus. It is just the pink elephant in the room that has to be discussed. In fact, Teebs (a.k.a. Mtendere Mandowa) was roommates with Flying Lotus and is now on the same label, Brainfeeder. Both create dense and beautiful beat programmed music which can sound mysteriously similar at times. But, while working from the same box of toys as it were, FlyLo leans more heavily towards a jazzy, spaced out vibe, while Teebs tends to focus on more organic, pastoral sounds. Indeed, a lot of the songs bring forth images of nature documentaries, or a sun kissed California take on Boards of Canada's sound.

The warmth of his pieces are apparent from the start. Beautiful, dusk hinted synths wash over a pattering drumbeat on opener "You've Changed"



And heavily treated harp sounds create an almost palpable sense of flowing liquid on the languid "Double Fifths."



The record has a delightful flow, each piece gently ebbing into the next song, creating a sense of a wholeness. Not that individual songs aren't memorable, the album just works better when you hear the entire thing in one sitting. And it sounds great whether in the confines of headphones or blaring loudly from the speakers.

One great thing about Ardour is how the songs are densely packed with various elements, and yet you can easily focus on one musical piece and see how he has gently manipulated it within the track. Like the chiming synths in "Burner"



the subtle decay on the guitars in "Wind Loop"



or the backwards bell chiming and distressed beats of "Arthur's Birds."



I will admit that it took several listens for me to really get a handle on Ardour. It is a very subtle album that almost borders on background music. But while it can function as beautiful atmosphere, it warrants close, detailed listens in order to experience the beauty in how each song is intricately structured. Ardour is a phenomenal debut and a welcome addition to the Brainfeeder library.

Rating Guide

Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.

Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.

Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top albums of the year.

Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.

Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been trimmed or polished.

Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.

Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.