Seekae
+Dome
Rating: Grrrr
Finding a middle ground between avant electro/guitar based bands such as Battles and PVT, and more anchored IDM fare from Boards of Canada and Aphex Twin, Aussie trio Seekae (pronounced C.K.)locate a delicate balance of electronic experimentation and more traditional rock instrumentation. Akin to recent releases from Mount Kimbie and the LA Beat scene promulgated by Flying Lotus, +Dome is a restlessly experimental album that never fails to feed the brain while also making emotional touchstones. The album draws from a multitude of influences; there are hints of J Dilla hop-hop beats, Black Dog/Plaid style IDM layering, pastoral IDM, and a host of other genres. This is not to say the album is scattershot or schizophrenic; everything is used in service of the track and the flow of the album. The tracks are pretty split evenly from more beat heavy, dense explorations and quieter, ambient leaning compositions. While these quieter tracks balance out the more experimental nature of the album, it is these more aggressive tracks that draw me back again and again. The delicate, traditional opening guitars of "3" lead into dense layers of distorted synths and thumping beats, which then morph into an amazing crescendo of rising keyboards before the beats take over once again.
"Gnor" uses live drums to give the track and interesting edge, the deceptively quiet track ramps up the throbbing bass and keyboards at the end.
The gentle nature of most of the tracks is completely upended with grinding Beat Music scene drum programming, harsh bass buzz, and almost proto-industrial/hip-hop kick of the track "Yodel."
The more ambient, instrumental tracks have so many hidden treasures, each listen unveiling something new. The title track "+Dome" is a beautiful layering of shuffling beats, drone piano, clattering percussion and distorted vocal samples. The real drums add a nice contrast to the electronics, providing warmth and propulsion.
"Blood Bank" slides along on a trippy beat, with high-pitched synth lines and a sing-songy, manipulated vocal sample.
Seekae - Blood Bank by Machining
"Mingus" builds from a muffled beat and angelic choral synths, stepping up the beats and background atmospherics, rising into a furiously dense mix of electronics.
The pacing of the album suffers a little towards the end, when the last three tracks almost ditch the beats altogether, forming a coda of ambient washes. From the plaintive drones of "Rock's Performances," to the final acoustic guitars and hazy vocals of "You'll,"
the tracks sort of fade the album out a little too gently. I was hoping for a more bang than a whimper, however, when the soundscapes are as good as they are on +Dome, it is a minor quibble. Seekae show they definitely know how to play with their sound and take it bit by bit towards something new and exciting. There is a nice playfulness and willingness to follow their sound down whatever path it takes. While this is a hair short of being a masterful work, I see brilliant things for this talented band in the future.
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 peaks 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.
