Test Pressure

Subverseco

Books on Tape is Todd Drootin, another guy who uses computer gear to make machine music out of his bedroom. And though this isn't a bad stab at home-made electronica / techno / whatever, there's way too much focus on beats and not enough on, well, music. But then again, maybe Drootin ain't too concerned about making music as much as making interesting noises, which he does pretty well. But lets face it, gee-whiz ping-pops can only go so far.

Opening track, "Take Initiative," sets off the rest of the CD nicely with its break-beat background and plethora of interesting counters -- a real head-bobber. Track two ain't bad, either. But track three is a real irritating snoozer, thanks to a particularly jarring sound effect and a general lack of melody. The rest is variations on the same intricate, beat-dense themes. Lots of counters, lots of neat fills, lots of interesting little electronic bloop-bleep touches, but nothing you're gonna remember after the click track stops.

Find it at http://subverseco.com/