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Betke wisely abandons a sound that had been developed to its full extent, yet the outcome is a set of hip-hop/dub hybrids that stumble out of the speakers with a fatigued skank.
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If you're fan of the previous work of Pole, tread gently (and skip the EPs and head directly for the album), but if you're looking to just start out with some of his work, head for his earlier releases.
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Alternative PressPole's organic, vibrant music suggests he's busted out of his creative doldrums with gusto. [Aug 2003, p.110]
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'Pole' is so minimal it's almost naked. But, by only including the things that matter, it's deceptively atmospheric.
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Ultimately, and refreshingly, this is not commercial, but hauntingly lush electronic music for all to enjoy.
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The whole of it seems passive and incomplete.
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Unfortunately, Pole contains no revelations beyond what was revealed in the prior EPs. With this release, Betke calls his own bluff and loses.
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MagnetThink a minimalist A Tribe Called Quest. [#60, p.110]
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Pole has some worrying problems, starting with the tracks featuring Fat Jon.
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After listening to the whole of this album we'd have to admit that Pole remains as much of a mystery as ever. Only now we're not sure we're still interested in finding out much more...
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These tracks are still filled with weird sounds, it's just not the same sounds you might be expecting.
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Q Magazine[Fat John's] hyper-literate, cosmically inclined stylings can't help but humanise -- and eventually soften -- the hard burn of circuitry. [Aug 2003, p.111]
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Pole is the sound of a restless musical talent and intellect seeking out like-minded collaborators, expanding their horizons, and producing an otherwise impossible synthesis.
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A stylistic side-step that trips and falls without making much of the tumble.
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The WireThis is Pole at his most expansive and communicative. [#233, p.69]
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UncutPerhaps creative stasis might have proved more rewarding. [Aug 2003, p.99]
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UrbThis is not just academic and abstract music for the headphone philosopher, but proper soulful stuff that will rock more adventurous dance floors. [Aug 2003, p.90]
User score distribution:
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Positive: 2 out of 2
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Mixed: 0 out of 2
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Negative: 0 out of 2
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TimeCodeOct 28, 2003