Very few Russian electronic artists scored a success, Fizzarum did.
It's easy to recognize Ae influence in the album. Obviously lads had been listening to their tracks very carefully and then didn't copy but reinvented Ae style. This album is a jewel and it's very sad that Fizzarum couldn't excel it in further releases.
Filled with basslines, Asian motif (in "Micanex" which perhaps drops a hint at "Rsdio") and hidden logic their music will make you guess a formula to comprehend it which is what you need. Did I say music? It's rather pure math.

For me it is outstanding album primarily because there is much Japanese influence in it. Starting from the track "Passage to Nagoya" where woman's voice in Shinkansen announces: "Thank you for using West Japan Railway Company service. This train is for Shin-Ōsaka Station. On the way this train will stop on Kokura, Hiroshima and Okayama", a feeling comes to you like you're indeed taking a trip through the country enjoying its views. Soft and expressive tracks live in absolute chime. A snowy white digipak is one of best I've ever saw. 100% worth buying.

Tracks featuring vocal like this one, "Rakimou" and "Cover Me (Plaid Mix)" alarm me into thought that Ed and Andrew repeat degradation of The Chemical Brothers when they came down to pop music inviting vocalists. I tried to shut out such thoughts before listening to "Faster". I had recognised Plaid at very first xylophone sounds and fan's utter bliss immediately followed. Lads, I really appreciate you began to put into practice selling extra tracks on Bleep, because I despaired of ever finding another superb tracks like a TV Noise Track at Greedy Baby live gig with Bob or "Fell" on Japanese release of Double Figure. Thanks for your talents!

For those who've been run clean off his/her feet looking for a sound close to Plaid's. This is the album you need and it's as close to Plaid as you can get. Very interesting and very mild but has no xylophone play which is usual for Andy and Ed. Overall worth buying. The most amazing track is hidden right after 'List'.

Only 1 word is needed to describe this album – smashing! None of the other Reimer's releases can do better. A simple and harmonious sound, beautiful melodies, deliberate concept and a lot of cheerfulness – just as sound of water, music flows into your ears giving a lot of pleasure. One track is especially outstanding – Life Nine Sky – reminds me of Autechre's best times.

For me Ae's brilliant talents had died after Chiastic Slide and Envane. I got added evidence in it watching their live performance at SeOne London on 14 April 2005 where I just was staying and thinking: "Who are these lads performing? Are they really from Ae?" With the exception of Gantz Graf all their post-1997 albums were for me just a set of incompatible sounds scattered across tracks without any logic. Sometimes I think: "Maybe it's just my personal affection for melodic music?" Wait a minute! Many of their early albums are not melodic at all, but I still like them. So something must be wrong with their new approach to writing music. Their latest sound tells me that its creators are tired and therefore they programmed some software stuff juggling with samples on purpose to prove public computers' aptitude for writing music without human participation. I have read enough comments and reviews praising them, so I guess they have found as many new devotees as they've lost old ones. But I still cherish hopes that someday they will return to their roots like it happened to FSOL lately.

Too bad there is no hard copy of this album available. But it turned out to be very interesting 'LP' – well-considered and perfectly written. It has 'Low Gravity Freefall' – a version of track that differs from that of Midsummer's. I recommend not to miss this release though you'll have to sweat to find it.

The fact that Plaid found feet on the big screen (sorry for pun) makes me glad. But don't listen to this album unless you watch Tekkon Kinkreet. Because firstly in anime and in its trailer you'll hear short magical Plaid tunes missing on CD. I wish they were there... And secondly music is adapted to movie so it's no use to listen Asia-influenced tracks without watching beforehand situations they describe. This is how you can comprehend whole idea and soul of this undoubtedly great album.

When you think there are no interesting British composers left you discover another one. Undeservingly passed unnoticed. Ochre’s sound tells you that it is the artist supposed to record at Warp but nope! It seems alternative labels can rival this giant at IDM field. Despite many similarities to Ae and Plaid, Ochre can boast of own distinguishing style and a absolutely crystal sound. On the one hand Chris is very melodic, sometimes he even falls into classical music; on the other his music has a bit of roughness – this mixture is really astonishing. Take any Ochre release, listen to it, and it will make you forget about any other artists for a long time.

The paradox of Plaid is that they at first 'sight' seize the attention of people who usually poorly perceive electronic sound. I think Ed and Andy discovered new horizon of IDM. Very deep insight into melody and sound makes Plaid so creative that I doubt they can ever write a mediocre release. And all the tricks they can make with original tracks... Try to get all their remixes on many releases and compare with the originals – you will definitely hear the difference. A 'must listen' for any devotee of Intelligent Dance Music.