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Confield
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Confield Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 34 Ratings

  • Summary: One of the preeminent practitioners of the style of electronica labeled "Intelligent Dance Music," Autechre (consisting of Sean Booth and Rob Brown) returns with its first album in three years.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Mojo
    90
    The mind-boggling intricacies and moody, broody sound-sculpting on tracks like Pen Expers find Autechre zooming off, leaving their followers eating cosmic dust. [May 2001, p.110]
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  2. The A.V. Club
    90
    Confield, Autechre's sixth full-length and its best release since 1997's Chiastic Slide, may also be its most ambitious.
  3. Pitchfork
    88
    Confield promises elegant production, accessibility in moderation, and one of the most enveloping, thought-provoking listening experiences to come forth from leftfield this year.
  4. Neumu.net
    80
    Confield presents one of the purest approximations of "machine music" we've heard yet. It's profoundly unsettling, but that's half its beauty; it's a sonic Frankenstein that refuses to let its plug be pulled.
  5. Urb
    70
    Autechre are mulching electronic music, letting their code sweat and rot in the heat. In doing so, they set off a complex ecological process that is interesting to watch, if not always pretty to listen to. [#84, p.105]
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  6. Spin
    70
    A series of six-minute tracks that set some sort of richly (or ripely?) spastic texture-beats against ethereal drone-shimmers. [Aug 2001, p.136]
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  7. Blender
    60
    They've all but abandoned 4/4 grooves, discarded bass as an inefficient distraction and fractured their beats into splintery beatlets that detonate in flurries. [Jun/Jul 2001, p.105]
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See all 10 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. CheradenineZ.
    Sep 30, 2002
    10
    In one word, this album sounds Foreign. I have not heard music at all like this anywhere else, not even the rest of Ae's previous stuff In one word, this album sounds Foreign. I have not heard music at all like this anywhere else, not even the rest of Ae's previous stuff (Chiastic Slide being closest)… Expand
  2. auturo
    Mar 24, 2014
    10
    It's hard to describe this album and give a review. All I can say is that it gets better with time and you never fully appreciate this albumIt's hard to describe this album and give a review. All I can say is that it gets better with time and you never fully appreciate this album at his best because each listen there is something new. Though, I would say this has to be the most elitist music in the world, meaning that only a few could listen and enjoy it.… Expand
  4. TobiM
    Nov 24, 2002
    10
    The best Album yet, its full scale will only be recognized in 10 years. Fantastic
  5. Vodkajihad
    Apr 9, 2008
    10
    Incredible. Pen Expers is the culmination of a promise made by electronic music at its inception.
  6. jatv1994
    Jan 28, 2013
    10
    I listened to this while i was having a vacation in Manzanillo, Mexico. It was 2:00 a.m...one of the most beautiful moments of my life,I listened to this while i was having a vacation in Manzanillo, Mexico. It was 2:00 a.m...one of the most beautiful moments of my life, inspiring, complex, I was astonished, hypnotized. Confield is one of the best albums in the history of humankind. No exaggeration.… Expand
  7. Geologist
    May 4, 2013
    9
    The IDM duo's breakthrough release is absolutely hooking, with layers of ambiance and carefully detailed beats, Autechre is able to create aThe IDM duo's breakthrough release is absolutely hooking, with layers of ambiance and carefully detailed beats, Autechre is able to create a sonic landscape of electronica that will remain the baron of their discography for years to come.… Expand
  8. JohnM.
    Jan 22, 2002
    7
    Autechre has always pushed the limits of musical definition on their albums, and even now, with the uncategorizable Confield, Autechre has Autechre has always pushed the limits of musical definition on their albums, and even now, with the uncategorizable Confield, Autechre has instead decomposed their sound, instead of elevating it, and it sounds remarkably interesting. The entire thing is minimalist in every sense, creating a serene mood on nearly every track by painting soundscapes through the overlapping of the most solemn and quiet melodies in history. Yet although Confield remains interesting in an artistic sense, it certainly does not yield multiple listens. It's sound is often tiring and sometimes disturbing after the second listen and the mood, although fascinating when observed like a foreign substance under a microscope, is not as interesting as the electro-funk days of Tri-Repetae++, one of the greatest electronic albums in music history. So, Confield, although quite an artistic achievement on the basis that - Autechre can always come up with something new - is almost too mellow and quiet to fill the desperate need for another action-packed Autechre album.… Expand

See all 12 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best Album of 2001
63
#63 Most Discussed Album of 2001
64
#64 Most Shared Album of 2001