On Bip-Hop Generation v2, the trend of experimental meets idm continues this time bringing togethers artists like arovane and b.fleischmann with more experimental artists like kohn, wang inc, and warmdesk. The v.2 starts with two darker introspective tracks from b.flesichmann highlighted by the gurgling electronics of 'under.' next is a fantastic 10-minute epic from arovane called 'plecq' that just overflows with melodies. After arovane, bip-hop newcomer
Warmdesk delivers four tracks complex electronica at times similar to phthalocyanine other times closer to senking. Kohn follows with three short pieces/loops and a dreamy analog track entitled 's-for hubert.' Wang Inc also delivers a few short pieces/loops as well as the clickety melodic 'three note melody' and the very "paris-at-4am-sounding" 'sadness for the number.' laurent pernice winds-down the comp with three very different styled tracks and Wang Inc finishes with a repeat of two of their short pieces/loops from earlier in the comp. Another solid edition to the Bip-Hop Generation series that, as it's predecessor did, should appeal to a wide range of experimental electronic music listeners.
-->-Lance----

Less than half a year after the release of the first volume in the "Bip Hop Generation" series comes the second one. The concept is still to gather a wide and complete example of the blip / glitch scene that is currently rising from several other music styles. 6 projects are featured on this
second volume, five of them coming from different parts of Europe, and Warmdesk being the only american band on this disc.
This compilation starts with probably its most accessible artist, Bernhard Fleischmann, who presents two very nice and flowing pieces of soft electronic arrangements. Even though his tracks contains some blips and minimal sounds, they are based on gliding melodies and loops, hypnotizing the listener to calm and gentle atmospheres. Arovane, the famous german act that follows, also doesn't really fit in this glitch desription, with a very IDM oriented track that could very well have been written by Autechre.
However, Warmdesk, Köhn and Wang Inc. all play according to the rules of blips and clicks, with weird and shorts sounds, silences and atonal moments. Their recording are very dynamic and catch well the attention of the listener. Styles range from the experimentations with beats of Wang inc.'s "Handmade loops" to more technoid offerings (for example on "Encaustic" by Warmdesk). Finally, Laurent Pernice, a rising name of the techno scene in France, presents three compositions that combine very well an acute sense for melodies and well written, flowing loops. Well arranged, his track close the cycle which had begun with Bernhard Fleischmann's catchy tracks.
I have no idea where the so called "bleepcore" style is going, but, while listening to this sampler, I found myself more seduced than with the first volume of the series. It might be because, this time, more tracks have an accessible and melodic side, or because the experimental side is less prominent. But it might also be just because these sounds of blips and clicks are finally growing on me. Anyway, this is a good compilation, that surpasses its predecessor and confirms that this line of samplers is well focused and realized.

Nicolas, March 20, 2001