Automat - Ostwest
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 25 / 2 / 2017
Label:
Bureau B
Format: CD
intro
Musically diverse third album from experimental and eccentric Berlin electronic trio Automat
As the proud owner of this LP, for this past week or so, it is my full conviction that 'Ostwest' has entered my 2016 Top 10 Albums of the Year list. Dubby krautrock kicks off this ace collection of driving beats. Astounding rhythms and compositions set the tone on 'OstWest'; those put together on the majestic first track 'Fabrik der Welt' only prove to be the beginning. Hesitant footstep rhythms and a marching army band merge in this leftfield-ish vacuum of sounds. 'Tränenpalast' - Palace of Tears - marks a change in style as drizzle sets down on the mood and euphoria gets told to hold back. On 'Yuko' - the next track - imagination, however, again flows freely at will - very much to the extent of going elsewhere. Sirens and ship horns unneeded, the album brings together the sheer essence in Berlin's Basic Channel music. For the benefit of record, 'Ostwest' captures electronic dance music in its purest form. Subtle click-house goes around in the background while compositions grow wide and get large. It is half modern dance music, half modern composing - All in neat and seamless Automat fashion, like a dummy driving a test car BMW. There is more magic to this however as Automat's stern beats come with a certain grace. Music to bang your head to, it comes in the company of lovely rhymes and rhythms. Automat is very much the Beat Master behind this renewed format. Bear in mind that 'Ostwest' bangs on, indifferent to what's supposed to come next. The 'OstWest' juxtaposition stands ever so truly. Moreover Automat manage to make a Berlin airport sound like a Sahara desert on the hypnotic track 'Transit'. Juicy, versatile and wholesome, 'Ostwest' very much sums up such qualities. Originating from both sides of the Berlin Wall, 'Ostwest' falls right in between. Some of the beats on the album sound God-like. The album melts fine new beats and from it a brand new sound arises. The best of both worlds still stands true as an old saying in archaic Dutch goes: Oost West Thuis Best. East, West, Home Best.
Track Listing:-
1 Ost2 Fabrik Der Welt
3 Tränenpalast
4 Yuko
5 West
6 Europa
7 Tempelhof
8 Transit
Band Links:-
http://www.automatmusik.de/https://www.facebook.com/automatberlin
http://www.automatmusique.com/
https://twitter.com/automatmusique
Label Links:-
http://www.bureau-b.com/https://www.youtube.com/user/bureaub/videos
https://www.facebook.com/bureaub
https://twitter.com/bureaublabel
Have a Listen:-
bandcamp
soundcloud
reviews |
Heat (2023) |
With personnel changes German supergroup Automat's fifth album proves dull and unimaginative |
Modul (2020) |
Plusminus (2015) |
most viewed articles
current edition
The Church - Interview with Steve KilbeyIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian Borland
Secret Shine - Interview
Vetchinsky Settings - Interview
Repomen - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Flaming Stars - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Smalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart