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Zero 7
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Closer
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 12 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Mute
Release Date: 21 October 2003
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Electronic
Summary
Techno pioneer Richie Hawtin returns with his first Plastikman album in five years. Unlike his DJ sets, 'Closer' is a dark, minimalist, challenging affair (note how often the word "paranoia" pops up in reviews).
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Urb
The self-reflective vocals... are an insightful change, while the slow-boiling builds on "Mind In Rewind" will simply make you want to buy your 303 back off eBay. [Nov 2003, p.87]
Playlouder
It's an unrelenting trip, and while Hawtin's much trumpeted spoken-word vocalisations veer perilously close to self-parody at times, 'Closer' is a stunning re-affirmation of an uncompromising musical vision.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Given the right frame of mind, Closer has the potential to be the most powerful Plastikman album -- an alternatingly cathartic and mind-wrenching place to lose yourself in.
Read Full Review >Dusted Magazine
What's new? High pitch frequencies; cell phone samples; the vocoded & pitched-down techno-poetry; a clean aesthetic from DE9 era running roughshod over a dark palette; and the fact that it sounds utterly different to his previous material, despite the references.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
Review 1: Ultimately, Closer doesn’t disappoint and represents a legitimate fifth installment in the Plastikman series, in spite of the fact that it breaks little new ground beyond its predecessors. [score=75]; Review 2: Hawtin [is] firmly again in the leagues with the masters of the genre. [score=81]
The Onion (A.V. Club)
Closer's metallic tracks couldn't be more stripped-down, but they make good on minimalism's aim to command space without necessarily occupying it.
Read Full Review >The Wire
Closer works best instrumentally, as a sonic depiction of the mind, as a dark voyage into inner space. [#236, p.64]
PopMatters
It's only when the vocals kick in that this trip seems to be getting a little too long.
Read Full Review >Filter
Ultimately pretends to be more adventurous than it really is. [#8, p.107]
Almost Cool
Sure, he's great at using a 909, but he's already progressed past the music he's made with Closer, and much of the time it feels like falling back on old habit for lack of new ideas.
Read Full Review >Spin
His avant-electro minimalism can get pretty vacant--to the point where you may not be able to tell it's on. [Jan 2004, p.100]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.6 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Ty S gave it a 7:
Nice dark atmosphere throughout with some spine tingling moments make for a disturbed 60 odd minute journey. Not the sort of stuff to motivate or lift your spirits but still damn tidy to listen too... Been into his stuff for years it seems and whilst i do like a little more melody in his stuff this is certain to please all his fans !!
