Kulma [Digipak]

Going back to Panasonic's first albums after a few years, one finds they stand the test of time and understands why they were so influential and led to so many sound-alikes. Kulma, for example, is a masterpiece of experimental techno. The first half of the album gives a chance for techno heads to stick around and follow the deconstruction. "Teurastamo" and "Vapina" are still suitable for the dancefloor, although they have clearly been tailored for the living room. But as one progresses from one track to the next, the atmosphere becomes colder, drier, and charged with electricity instead of electro beats. Electrical hums, crackles, and glitches fill the room. Loops occasionally provide rhythm but it sounds almost accidental. From IDM, the music descends into ambient techno, experimental techno, and then simply sound sculpting. By "Kurnutus," the listener is completely confused about what is techno music and what is electro-acoustic music. Mika Vainio and Ilpo Vaisanen's next album would be built over a similar framework, but Kulma remains more seducing simply because it makes the transformation (let's not put anyone or any style down by using the term "evolution") crystal clear. ~ Francois Couture|