The Gasman – The Grand Electric Palace Of Variety

Early 2000s Planet Mu sometimes had a problem with quality control, with some artists (looking at you Venetian Snares) unloading their entire hard drive into the world without thoughtful curation. And The Gasman, on the surface, also seems to fall into this trap. I mean, a double album called THE GRAND ELECTRIC PALACE OF VARIETY? But he actually explores his version of classical-infused IDM more, from the looped-strings ambient soundscapes ("Hump") to The Field-like micro-samples ("Imodium," "Citrimax") to his more carnival-inspired compositions ("Twit"; "Waltzer"). There are plenty of pieces to catch your attention, like the haunted piano of "Ice Dance"; the electro trip of "Bifidus" and "Chuff" (both of which are overly long, to be honest); the piano-driven breaks of "Fridge"; the organ churning and chorale of "Ark" The second disc features more percussion from the more traditional IDM stylings of "Blister" and "Green Hen," the Plaid-lite "Bontempi Lutein," the upbeat silliness of "Electric Coconut," or the messiness of "Tractor" and "R-Lipolic Acid." A few track almost reach for greatness, like the perky blips of "Turbine" and "Flounce," but they get lost amounts the detritus of so-so tracks. Taken all together, the album sounds more like simple explorations without much depth or elaboration... but it certainly has variety.

This XXL album brings us beautiful (deep & fragile, sometimes darkish) ambient trax as well as mid '90 rephlex-like IDM, very much inspired by Cylob & Global Goon. The best Planet Mu cd in ages.