Released - 2/4/11
Label - Warp
BLURB - One of this year's great surprises (well, not really) has got to be Bibio's "Mind Bokeh." Bibio feels like they've been around for ages, but they finally started to gain some real notoriety over the past year with their previous record, "Ambivalence Avenue." They went from an underground indie/electronic unknown, to basically a mainstay in today's music scene. Their track, 'Lovers Carvings' was even featured as the background music for an Amazon Kindle commercial. "Mind Bokeh" proves that Bibio still has that gift for producing creative and interpretive indie/electronic music. The record can be played in any which way and feels like a complete work of art. The best part of Bibio is that their music is fused from so many different styles that it really becomes a must-listen for any fan of music.
Rating - 9.5 out of 10
FULL STORY - "Mind Bokeh" begins modestly with 'Excuses,' as the ominous track slowly takes shape amidst a flutter of sound effects and digital noise. The song is continuously building and morphing colors as it turns into something of an avant garde, digital-european feel. The track then segues into the patient 'Pretentious' as dirty snare drums and what sounds like broken clocks play. Bibio does a great job at building anticipation and excitement in their music - you can almost compare them to Flying Lotus - there's always something up around the bend. As 'Pretentious' continues to build, the song transforms into this incredible slow jam complete with wavering synth lines and hooks.
'Anything New' is an unbelievable tune, that is chopped up, glitchy, yet is incredibly listenable. The song has a great dance feel that you would have never expected. Contributing to the song's appeal are the layers of hooks and riffs that capture your ears. The song also maintains a steady diet of diversity as the instrumentation is constantly changing and introducing new pieces.
'Light Sleep' brings the funk. This track is lively and has an early disco's feel to it, and is produced with a real retro and vintage feel to it. Just listening to 'Light Sleep' takes your mind away to a different place and puts you in a great mood. The song is something that I would have expected to hear on some AM Gold radio station in 1975. Once again there are numerous synth hooks and melodies that appear, only this time they are over a bed of wah-guitars and some very modest, yet ingenious percussion.
When I first heard 'Take Off Your Shirt' I was like...'oh no, Bibio what are you doing?!' The track begins with collection of hard guitar riffs and sounded like it was going to turn into some terrible rock song. This was a far departure from the Bibio I've come to know. But yes, it is a rock song - and yet it's somehow growing me. It gives Bibio that extra punch and power that you would really never expect. I still haven't come completely around on it, but nonetheless, it's very cool to see a band that refuses not to enter different genres.
'Artists Valley' will take you back to old school Bibio as the track begins with a raw folk feel. From there waves of snares, synth and digital effects come to the forefront. For the most part the track is fairly downtempo and establishes a couple nice grooves, while remaining somewhat raw and unfiltered.
'K is for Kelson' appears to be the 'Lovers Carvings' of "Mind Bokeh." It's one of those songs that are just fun to listen to. There is so much energy and excitement - and just makes you want to move around. The track feels huge, and sounds like it uses no less than 50 different instruments. The outro of the song is also worth mentioning as it has one of the coolest sounding dual synth leads I've ever heard.
While "Mind Bokeh" does tend to leave behind much of the folk influences they experienced with on "Ambivalence Avenue," (don't worry, there is still some there) the record jumps Bibio's career up another notch or two. The album is filled with artistic interpretations of both classic and newer forms of music. When these styles are created with the skill and talent of someone like Bibio, the music really jumps out of the speakers and makes you appreciate what exactly you're listening to.
Have a listen to 'Light Sleep.'
Tracks
1.) Excuses
2.) Pretentious
3.) Anything New
4.) Wake Up!
5.) Light Sleep
6.) Take Off Your Shirt
7.) Artist's Valley
8.) K is for Kelson
9.) Mind Bokeh
10.) More Excuses
11.) Feminine Eye
12.) Saint Christopher
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