Ckid - Crashkid Went There

  by Matthew Willson

published: 12 / 3 / 2002

Label: Becalmed
Format: 12"

intro

Relaxing, but unadventurous debut EP from Nuremberg musician Rene Margraff aka Ckid

With ambient electronica it's often hard to tell the emperor's new clothes from the real thing. Listening within the genre there is a fine line to be drawn between the generic elevator music unwittingly churned out by legions of bedroom-based wannabes, and real ambient genius from the likes of Susumu Yokota and Boards of Canada. Which side of the line this release falls isn't altogether clear - although it sometimes achieves moments of real relaxing beauty ('touchy', for example), it lacks the sufficient dynamism, variety and subtle complexity of more notable Warp/Leaf records influences to go all the way and stand out as something new. Melodically and rhythmically, it's not strong. The record limits itself to the same slowly meandering wash of synth pad sounds on each track, accompanied by fairly conventional and quiet glitchy beats. Relaxing it may be, but Pole or Wauvenfold this aint. Obviously the intention is to relax the listener - with a label name like Becalmed records - but it really needs a larger range of samples and sounds, more adventurous beats and discernible melody beyond the wash of synths to bring it above the level of generic new-age ambience and really grip the listener. A starting point certainly, and perhaps a worthwhile purchase for real minimalist fans (or insomniacs!), but not something that will stick in your mind for long.

Track Listing:-