To Rococo Rot - ABC123
by Maarten Schiethart
published: 9 / 11 / 2007
Label:
Domino Records
Format: CD
intro
Soft-edged, but innovative new mini album from experimental German trio To Rococo Rot which takes its inspiration from the 50th anniversary of the Helvetica typing and computer font
Electronic music dwells on repetition and To Rococo Rot have not been shy of extrapolating digital rhythms to great length in the past. On 'ABC123' it's all impact and uniqueness. The compositions were automated on laptop computers from using lettering in audio software. This year it's the 50th birthday of the Helvetica font which is a clean-cut and very basic type of lettering. Incidently, Helvetica was made redundant from use in HTML, the webpage language, a few years ago, and the common font has become Arial now. 'ABC123' was commissioned as a result of the Helvetica Anniversary and the stylistic simplicity of these 8 tracks illustrates the idea behind this type of font very well. Weirdly enough, this seemingly rigid concept has resulted in a fine and 'eloquent' set of tracks. Miniature compositions from the three members were synchronised and their three layers do evolute into comprehensive structures. And wonderfully enough, they sound gentle, sparkling and bright. Soft edges and bubbles make this a pleasent listen with a rich set of tricks and treats. God forbid that a remix set of this album would ever see the light of day. On the other hand, I could imagine a reset with the use of another font on the original computer files. 'ABC123' is twenty minutes of intense digital composition and provides an interesting theory about where composing could go.
Track Listing:-
1 Freitag2 Ivx4
3 Post Reprise
4 Verschieden
5 Abc
6 Zigue Zague
7 Enigma
8 H 5
Label Links:-
http://www.dominorecordco.com/https://www.facebook.com/DominoRecordCo
https://twitter.com/DominoRecordCo
https://www.youtube.com/user/DominoRecords
https://plus.google.com/+DominoRecords
reviews |
Speculation (2010) |
Accessible electronica on eighth album from experimental and continously evolving Dusseldorf-based trio To Rococo Rot |
Hotel Morgen (2004) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
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