Album Review: Letherette - Letherette

Letherette
Letherette
Rating: Grrrr

Wolverhampton duo Letherette, Andy Harber and Richard Roberts, are going to get lost in the wake of the oncoming hurricane caused by the release of Daft Punk's new record, and it will be a pity. While Letherette definitely draw their initial influence from the house music titans, it is merely a stepping off point for a record that is so much more than the sum of its influences. Granted, the first few tracks almost seem like Daft Punk-by-numbers, and by that point in listening to their debut I believed I had them pegged. But Letherette is structured more as a deep cuts DJ set, taking you on a journey, with many highs coupled with interesting sojourns into darker, more contemplative territory.

Of course, the main focus will be on the more dancy, Daft Punk inspired cuts, of which there are many. Opener "After Dawn" slides on by with bright, airy synth lines over a chunky beat, slippery basslines, and clipped vocal samples. First single "D&T" could easily be a long lost Daft Punk b-side, except for the fact is actually quite better than anything the French duo have done over their last two records. A beginning section of simple synth patterns and standard house drum track evolves into a a more dense and fruitful composition, with the beat becoming more stuttered and funky, and 80s guitar riffs thrown around with abandon.



But after this sort of bait and switch, the album really starts to play with its conventions, turning its house base onto itself. "Restless," one of the few vocal numbers, would be far more at home on a garage compilation, leaning almost over to future R&B. "The One" easily moves from ambient undertones into an intricate collage of sampled madness, before segueing into the downtempo gorgeousness of "Gas Stations & Restaurants."



From there, the tracks get more involved and exploratory, never staying long in one genre or mood. Asian influences collide with thick, funky beats and skittering samples on "Cold Clam," the beats kick into high gear with the wondrous club thump of "Warstones,"



while "Boosted" eagerly mixes icy keys with a subtly funky bass undercarriage and meanders effortlessly across its run time.



The ending of the record really shows Letherette going off into more atmospheric territory. "Hard Martha" adds more texture to its cityscape beats, accenting the low synth drones with a lonely undertow,



and closing track "Say The Sun" ends things on a downward turn, with echoing, somber keyboards and delicate guitar lines overlaying a midtempo beat.



Letherette is not a game changer in the electronic music world but I don't believe that was the point of this record. What it is is a solid record that takes chances when it needs to, and also toys with your expectations, making it seem like it is going in one direction, then slowly twisting things into a new direction, making everything that came before it come into question. While most people are breathlessly awaiting the new Daft Punk record, I will continue to listen to this album, as it by far makes a much more bold statement to me.

Rating Scale:

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 releases of the year.

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

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

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.