The reason for the lack of a predictable formula lies in the creative, idealistic nature of electronic music. Mannequin Lung's new album "The Art of Travel" released on the San Francisco-based record label Plug Research is a perfect example of music transcending categorization.
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Another slightly more ambiguous approach to understanding the sounds found on the album is to acknowledge the various styles of electronic music Mannequin Lung draws from for his innovative synergy. This method is perhaps the best way to communicate the attributes of the music to others.
Immediately, elements of Detroit-style techno can be found in the album's underlying bass beats and various layers of complimentary middle and high frequency rhythms. At the same time though, most of the songs on "The Art of Travel" fail to exploit the sensual elements of Detroit techno: strings, synths and serenity.
The structural crafting of the songs themselves is characterized best with a comparison to the music released by the popular German record label Basic Channel. The rhythms remain symmetric and looped onto one another with continual variations to avoid monotony. Yet the slight monotony of the symmetric, looped nature of the rhythms focuses the mind of the listener more onto the texture than the actions of the sounds.
The odd sounds comprising the beats and rhythms can also best be described with a comparison to experimental artists such as Aphex Twin. Though Mannequin Lung focuses much more on percussive sounds than Aphex Twin, both artists desire to use untraditional sounds created with computer technology instead of the somewhat cliched sounds of the Roland 909, 808 and 303 drum machines characterizing most techno and house music.
Another way to explain the music of Mannequin Lung is to discuss what it ignores. Unlike drum 'n' bass and hip-hop, there are no breakbeats polluting the sounds of "The Art of Travel." Mannequin Lung also mostly avoids the ambient backdrops and intense velocity of trance or the jackhammering beats of hardcore or gabba.
Keep in mind also that Mannequin Lung attempts in no way to exploit popular motifs or to rework past classics in an attempt to appeal to mainstream audiences such as popular electronic artists such as Fatboy Slim, Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers have. This album is targeted at affluent listeners who appreciate the conceptual ideals of artistic innovation not those looking for the next trend.
Nothing on this album will evoke intense emotions or make your booty bounce excessively, yet it is a work that should be respected as an honest attempt by a talented artist interested in presenting new ideas. A re-examination in ten years will determine how novel his concepts really are. It often takes time for audiences to comprehend and appreciate the true genius of classic art.
04-20-99
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