Autechre ‎– Anvil Vapre

Something, some kind of machine, more vast than oceans, advancing slowly towards you but moving at two speeds simultaneously... you hear it in the distance first, the fast, repetitive rhythm of its tiny parts clicking perfectly on time, its cold, metallic sirens calling you and drawing you closer, then it takes its first step. the tiny parts keep spinning as the machine steps in a hypnotic, uneasy, yet still robotic rhythm. More distant warning signals join the collage as it draws closer... you grow more and more unsteady as the massive object comes too close for comfort. But faster than it took to arrive, it leaves, leaving you in a hazy wash of gray metallic reverb...

At least that's what I see when I listen to "Second Peng." My favorite autechre song and release, I think.

Electronic music has always been something of a niche. I can't speak for generations before mine (and for the one after mine, I know that Radiohead was the gateway), but my brother and I were first introduced to this world through MTV's late night Amp program. This show ended up saving us from the bad taste of the other 167 hours worth of weekly programming, and introduced us to our favorite band via the video for "Second Bad Vilbel".

9 years later, they're still my favorite, and this is still one of their best. It's not any more simple nor complex than it needs to be, it sounds bizarre and familiar, innovating without becoming self-conscious. And it still sounds fresh today.

"Bad Vilbel" comes in with a bang, or a rocket or whatever that is, sets us in motion and then slows for a glimpse into the machinery that is launching us from Earth. "Scepe" forges into alien territory that sounds mysteriously like Detroit, muscular but restrained. In "Scout" the EP starts to feel comfortable with itself, enjoying the ride while pondering the elasticity of bass. "Peng" is a sad and awkward goodbye to this strange and beautiful world.

'Bad Vilbel' is actually a town in Germany near Frankfurt. The town of Glossop near Sheffield is twinned with Bad Vilbel. As Warp were based in Sheffield originally, one wonders if this is all a coincidence or intentional.

I read elsewhere that the title refers to the formation of storm clouds which resemble anvils. The 'stormy' atmosphere of Second Bad Vilbel does come across, Sheffield does tend to have grim weather the majority of the time too.

For me this is still a standout release by Ae 11 years on, each track gets better than the last and Second Peng builds up in to something awesome, dark and brooding.

This was my introduction to Autechre, and remains one of my favorite Ae releases. "Second Scepe" is my favorite Ae track, and I have heard nearly all of their music to date; a very powerful piece of music, with an elegant and beautiful melody and a very hard bass percussion.

I was lucky enough to see Autechre play most of these tracks live. They opened with Anvil Vapre, and it sounded like a rocket launching. :-)

Tri Repetae is far from my favorite Autechre album. The same goes for this companion EP for the album, far from my favorite EP. However, track 2, Second Scepe is one of the most touching Autechre songs i've ever heard. Now normally i don't "feel" or "relate" to Autechre's jams, but this track really hits the emotional spot. Female vocals are used. This track is worth getting the EP for alone.

Much like "Garbage" was to "Amber", this EP is to "Tri Repetae". It has the same harsh, metalic style, and it even says "Tri Repetae" in the cover sleeve!

Every track is really good and if I should pick out some favourites, it must be Second Scepe and Second Peng. Second Peng has some heavy and sharp beats, and also a really interesting use of cut up female vocals and piano-like melodies. Also check out the video to Second Bad Vilbel by Chris Cunningham.

So if you have Tri Repetae you should really get this EP too!

By far and away this is Autechre's best disc. From the first second of Second Bad Vilbel to the last second of Second Peng it hits and it hits hard. This is a very intense listening experience and should be the first on your list if you're a first time Autechre buyer. Every track gets a 5 out of 5 hands down. This is a seminal release on Warp Records. Hell its top 5. To bad I wasn’t around to buy this on the first day of it release, seeing that I was only 10 years old. Would have been a nice surprise though.