Curious album, this. SPOKES does suggest a return to their Black Dog days, as you're lulled by the vocal ambience of "Even Spring" before the rhythm comes in. But what made the Black Dog unique is the way their songs constantly morphed and took on new shapes. "Crumax Bins" is hypnotic but doesn't develop as much. Same with "Upona" -- beautiful set-up, not much of a conclusion. There's a certain density to other tracks: "Zeal" and "Cedar City" are full of sound and texture. It's all mesmerizing and harmonious, but oftentimes disappears into the ether. The jaunty "Get What You Give" does make a strong impression, however, with its instrumentation. "Quick Emix" closes the album with the same weaknesses and strengths that appear elsewhere. Still a worthwhile album, even if it fails to scale the heights that it should have.

First I would like to quote from Warp's marketing blurb on their website. Warp says..

"Spokes marks a return in mood, if not production, to some of their earlier work in the 90's as The Black Dog, but retains the characteristic harmonic warmth and rhythmical sensibility they have developed as Plaid."

But from what I have heard I wouldn't get your hopes up too much on that Black Dog part they mention about. This album sounds (production wise) more like Orbital trying to make Plaid songs with a shade or just a pinch of that ol' Black Dog feel. Also right as the tracks are about to get good... it's over. Instead of a meaty song structure, a few phrases get looped building over and over until you catch on and then get that "oh the track should be over now" feel. Maybe Orbital could of lent some help on the structure to point out what parts needed to be "rocked out" on more. You hear a track progressing like "f- yeah it's going to blow up!" then sizzle, crackle, pop and fizz. The fuse burnt out resulting in the next track starting up. This happens on almost every track! I guess Warp messed up and should NOT of said anything about Black Dog. Black Dog is over and quit making up stuff that Plaid some how got "it" back Warp. It's a good album(?) but I'd like to know if there are fuller versions of these songs as each track on the CD is pretty much around 5 or 6 min. If somehow there were a longer version of this album it should of been 2 hours long on a DVD audio. Right now Spokes is too short!

A bit of a mixed bag this album, heh ? I cannot make up my mind about it finally. There are excellent parts , lush and mellow parts , mixed up with harsh and hard arrangements... In the end it all turns out fine. It's the diversity of temperatures you get here , that have this effect on the listener. Clever done my friends. This way there is always something mysterious and obscure left around this best packaged CD of all times. The cover artwork is absolutely WICKED.

i love plaid and I guess this release doesn't really do it for me as much as their others... there are a few
solid tracks and of course nothing is bad, but some of it either feels like retread or even a lil boring. i'd check
out their first three albums before this one if i were a newie.

spokes is the long waited gift for those of you who r addicted to warm melancholic melodies combined with ultra geniuse multy channel electronic delights. this is IDM in its best. plaid have developed their own unique stile which is very addicted. i cant realy say that this album is better then their previous "double figure" or any other album. but right now (the passed two mounths)i just cant stop listening to it. yoav shumach ("headspin") israel
b.t.w the front cover design is very like the music itself.