sweepstakes, Jul 14, 2006
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.
4.5/5 (