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- Summary: Following a series of three glitchy, minimalist electronica albums entitled "1," "2," and "3," respectively, producer Stefan Betke (aka Pole) changes course and heads into experimental hip-hop and dub on this latest LP, even enlisting Ohio-based rapper Fat Jon for vocals on several tracks.
- Record Label: Mute
- Genre(s): Electronic
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
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Positive: 8 out of 17
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Mixed: 8 out of 17
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Negative: 1 out of 17
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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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MagnetThink a minimalist A Tribe Called Quest. [#60, p.110]
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Ultimately, and refreshingly, this is not commercial, but hauntingly lush electronic music for all to enjoy.
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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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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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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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A stylistic side-step that trips and falls without making much of the tumble.
Score distribution:
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Positive: 1 out of 1
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Mixed: 0 out of 1
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Negative: 0 out of 1
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TimeCodeOct 28, 2003
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