Tryptych
by Demdike Stare
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    Feb 17, 2011
    90
    Compared to the majority of the material on the parent releases, they're placid, ambient pieces that are not nearly as disturbed but recall the quiet menace of 23 Skidoo's Urban Gamelan and The Culling Is Coming, as well as the drum-less ambient dub side of Basic Channel.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Feb 17, 2011
    90
    Issuing such a thorough CD document of a vinyl trilogy winds up not so much a simple change in format or an exercise in excess, but rather a telescopic glimpse into the rapidly expanding Demdike Stare universe.
  3. Pitchfork
    Feb 17, 2011
    83
    Canty and Whittaker are impressively capable in that respect: they know exactly what will and won't belong in their creepy little mood-worlds, and as a result, Tryptych rarely calls attention to itself.
  5. cokemachineglow
    Feb 17, 2011
    81
    Tryptych is something of a good trade convention, showcasing just how Demdike's samples become reborn with a strong modern edge. You feel like you're privy to seeing something here that's all set to sweep across the market.
  6. Mojo
    Apr 4, 2011
    80
    Blending machine rhythms and subterranean beats with ghostly atmospherics, world music chants and groaning analogue disquiet they create a rich, unnerving sound that feels both modern and ancient. [Mar 2011, p.114]
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  7. Uncut
    Feb 25, 2011
    80
    It's a heavy trip, with the exotic/erotic minimal techno of Ricardo Villalobos overlaid to intoxicating effect with the eerie hauntological manoeuvers of The Focus group. [Feb 2011, p.82]
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  8. Dusted Magazine
    Feb 17, 2011
    80
    Playing any of these three records on home speakers while choring through the day, their subtle modulations will melt away, their wispy chimeras passing unnoticed. An immersion through headphones, or at pane-rattling volumes, provides the magnification that these cataclysmic environments call for.
  9. PopMatters
    May 27, 2011
    60
    It's hard to scrape the sensation that there's something a little inadequate about Tryptych, even as immersive headphone sessions reveal new levels of depth within the productions.

Awards & Rankings

47
#47 Best Album of 2011

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 3 out of 10
  1. MorriBey
    Apr 3, 2011
    2
    I don't get it. I have listened to all the 'best of' new music from James Blake, Lykke Li, Destroyer, Nicolas Jaar and whilst this albumI don't get it. I have listened to all the 'best of' new music from James Blake, Lykke Li, Destroyer, Nicolas Jaar and whilst this album scores highly on metacritic, i don't get it. I have tried to listen to it countless times but its too random. No structure. Rubbish actually.… Full Review »
  2. dansemacabre103
    Apr 22, 2011
    10
    One of the best albums of the year so far! Expansive yet profound, the perfect dark ambient album. Standouts include Forest of Evil (Dusk),One of the best albums of the year so far! Expansive yet profound, the perfect dark ambient album. Standouts include Forest of Evil (Dusk), Bardo Thodol, and Hashishishin Chant.… Full Review »
  3. coltron0
    Apr 21, 2011
    10
    This is about as good as a dark ambient album gets, with a plethora of electronic and dub thrown in for good measure. Good, scary measure. I'mThis is about as good as a dark ambient album gets, with a plethora of electronic and dub thrown in for good measure. Good, scary measure. I'm not sure if I'd consider it one of the best albums of the year, but I'm giving it a 10 to offset the reviews by people who've never listened to ambient before and need Eno in their lives.… Full Review »
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