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Closer Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

  • 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).
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Urb
    90
    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]
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. The Wire
    70
    Closer works best instrumentally, as a sonic depiction of the mind, as a dark voyage into inner space. [#236, p.64]
  6. Filter
    66
    Ultimately pretends to be more adventurous than it really is. [#8, p.107]
  7. Spin
    42
    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]

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. TyS
    Oct 30, 2003
    7
    Nice dark atmosphere throughout with some spine tingling moments make for a disturbed 60 odd minute journey. Not the sort of stuff to 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 !! Expand