Blockhead - Music By Cavelight

Genre:
Electronic, Hip Hop
Style:
Instrumental, Downtempo
Year:
2003

Tracklist

Insomniac Olympics 5:06 X
Carnivores Unite 4:45 X
You've Got Maelstrom 4:47 X
Sunday Seance 5:26
A Better Place 4:26 X
Road Rage Breakdown 4:15 X
Triptych Pt. 1 4:03
Triptych Pt. 2 3:04
Triptych Pt. 3 2:53
Jet Son 3:48 X
Breath And Start 4:22
Music By Cavelight 4:12 X
Insomniac Olympics 3:31

Versions

Title, FormatLabelCat#CountryYear
Music By Cavelight (CD, Enh, Album) Ninja Tune ZEN CD88 UK 2004
Music By Cavelight (CD, Album) Par Media Music ZZ-04YEG00001431 Russia 2003
Music By Cavelight (2xCD, Album, Ltd, Enh) Ninja Tune ZEN CD88X Canada 2004
Music By Cavelight (2xCD, Album, Ltd, Enh) Ninja Tune, Ninja Tune ZEN CD88, ZEN CD88X UK 2004
Music By Cavelight (2xLP, Album + 12") Ninja Tune, Ninja Tune ZEN 88, ZEN 88X UK 2004
Music By Cavelight (CD, Album, Promo) Ninja Tune ZEN CD88P UK 2004
Music By Cavelight (CD, Enh, Album) Ninja Tune ZEN CD88 Canada 2004
▸ show all 2 reviews

Reviews & Discussion

Review by scoundrel Jan 14, 2006 (edited over 3 years ago)

referencing Music By Cavelight, CD, Enh, Album, ZEN CD88

Ninja Tune has always been a reliable label for new discoveries, and MUSIC BY CAVELIGHT, the debut from Blockhead, is no different. An album of sample-heavy collages, the music ranges from Kid Koala-like humor (“Intro: Hello Popartz”) to more moody soundscapes (“You’ve Got Maelstrom” or the martial “Sunday Séance”). Blockhead carefully merges tonal qualities, like the sad strings and funk bass of “Carnivores Unite” or the outer-space zither of “Jet Son.” “Road Rage Breakdown” switches gears beautifully halfway through, going from an OK track to a surprisingly good one. And “Insomniac Olympics” takes the familiar horn section from the Olympics theme and transforms it completely. Less successful tracks (“Cavelight”) are quickly erased by stronger ones (“Breath and Start”). But, undoubtedly, the highpoint of the album is “Triptych Pt. 1,” which turns just one line from a song into its own chorus, alternating between being slowed-down and sped-up to a melancholy piano. A simple idea, yet remarkably beautiful. And while “Pt. 2” is unremarkable, “Pt. 3” picks things back up with an electric bass. An auspicious debut and another Ninja coup.
Rated 4/5
Review by deejsasqui Mar 29, 2004

referencing Music By Cavelight, 2xCD, Album, Ltd, Enh, ZEN CD88X

When I saw Blockhead live, I picked up this 2CD set, and was quite happy after the fact. To be honest, I hadn't heard of this chap before his set. I was a bit confused why he played a couple Aesop Rock tracks during his show, and now I know why (Blockhead produced them).

This album is a nice blend of dowtempo melodies and hiphop beats, plus some odd samples. Triptych Pt. 1 features a tweaked vocal sample, which could have been misused, but somehow fits right in. The other track which has gotten lodged in my head is Insomniac Olympics, although the video is a bit of a let-down.

Over-all, a good album, with some splendid moments. The Aesop Rock instrumentals are a nice bonus, but the vocals make the tracks complete.
history / edit

Master Release

Shortcut Code: [m47575]
Data Quality Rating: Correct

Ratings

4.51 / 5 (136 votes)

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