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ISAM - Amon Tobin
ISAM Image
Metascore
76 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critics What's this?

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  • Summary: The Brazilian electronics musician continues to evolve his environmental sampling sound on his latest album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. PopMatters
    May 27, 2011
    90
    More than any other electronic producer of the past decade, Amon Tobin's music goes places. From start to finish, ISAM is an adventure through sound and actuated potential.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    May 27, 2011
    60
    At its best, ISAM enters the realm of pure abstraction without losing its sense of purpose.
  3. Dusted Magazine
    May 27, 2011
    60
    ISAM's clusters aren't as advanced as Tobin might have you think, and only represent a monumental leap forward if you compare them to his trio of classic albums, all of which were recorded more than 10 years ago.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. jackegerton
    10
    ISAM is Amon Tobin's most compellingly individual and gloriously self-indulgent album to date. Given the freedom to release 'conventional' (in a relative sense) records under his 'Two Fingers' moniker -- accompanied by his partner-in-sublime, Doubleclick -- Amon Tobin has taken it upon himself to delve deeper into the weird and wacky of his considerable mind. This absurdity is somewhat compounded by the singular way in which he attacked the task of recording his most recent full-length: One man. Many sounds. Something much at odds with the collaborative Nature of 2007's Foley Room. However, in recording, his core principles remain the same - point and shoot. Whilst the pointing is done at objects familiar to many a budding photographer, the shooting is done by high-precision condenser microphones. The result of all this audiophilic sound-play is something magnificent from start to finish, irrespective of where your version of the album finishes - either after 2, 1 or no enjoyable bonus tracks. If you are undecided about giving this album a try, it is worth it purely to hear Tobin's voice being (excuse my Physics) spectrally contorted into a mimicry of those of little English and American girls. In addition, British micro-sculptor (Small sculptures not small sculptor!) Tessa Farmer's album artwork is wonderfully fantastic and grotesque - meant in the kindest way possible.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. grosraton
    10
    A masterpiece that deserves several listening with a decent sound system before giving an opinion. Definitely not made to listen with those "q-tips" like headphones... nor than through a compressed audio file (like MP3). This listening experiment is also completed with the live 3D experience... a must!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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