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An album of rich melodies, aggressive percussive breaks and richly textured atmospheres that intelligently synthesize the whole of electronic music history.
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Alternative PressLFO executes these retro moves with flamboyance and subtlety, so we can forgive Bell his derivativeness. [Nov 2003, p.118]
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LFO's gift is an ability to strip Detroit's electronic music of its soul, punishing any soft southern edges with a brutal attack of noise, while still managing moments of subtlety and consistently adventurous beat programming.
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"Sheath" sounds immediately of a piece with LFO's earlier work, albeit rife with updated technology and boasting slightly broader ambitions.
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A shining example of just how broad and brilliant electronic music can still be in the right hands.
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Just a set of productions that prove, once again, Bell is the most imaginative producer in British techno.
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If the album has a fault, its that LFO can occasionally be accused of complacency, and a handful of tracks here stray into bog-standard Warp generictronica, but it’s a minor gripe considering the joys on offer elsewhere.
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Since LFO hardly need to be innovators to produce a good record, I don't have much problem recommending Sheath, with the caveat that when pleasant, easy-going atmospheres set in, sometimes amiable disinterest on listeners' parts follow shortly.
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Q MagazineBell has an instinctive feel for sound but, as Freak's teeth-grinding acid house nostalgia underlines, he won't find a new audience with this. [Oct 2003, p.108]
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UncutAs a rule, the more breakneck the pace of these instrumentals, the less effective they are. [Nov 2003, p.107]
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MojoSome of it hisses and gurgles like early Future Sound Of London. [Oct 2003, p.118]
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The WireIt's clear that Bell retains a sure grasp of form and dynamics. Hard to shake off, however, is the nagging feeling that you've heard all this before. [#236, p.62]
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Ballistic but aimless.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 3 out of 3
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Mixed: 0 out of 3
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Negative: 0 out of 3
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daveaOct 15, 2003this is going to make you freak!!!