Roll the Dice - In Dust
by Adrian Huggins
published: 13 / 9 / 2011

Label:
Leaf Label
Format: CD
intro
Gorgeous and earthy, but futuristic electronica on superb second album from Swedish instrumental duo, Roll the Dice
When I hear bands like Roll the Dice, I wish that I had about thirty more special words in my vocabulary as I am not quite sure that I can truly do them justice with those that I do have. This is made particularly infuriating by the fact they are really not helping me out at all as they do not feel the need for words. The Swedish duo, which consists of Malcolm Pardon and Peder Mannerfelt, make a gorgeous and earthy, but futuristic noise which is at times subtle and at times all consuming and very deep. Think Boards of Canada in a very thoughtful and intense mood and you are half way there, or the older and wiser relative of Fuck Buttons. ‘Calling All Workers’ takes around five minutes to really kick in with its beautiful and stark sound. It is not surprising at all to learn that the pair have in the past lent their skills to film and television scoring. With tracks like ‘Maelstrom’ and ‘The Skull is Built Into the Tool’ it is clear that they have a fantastic talent for building tension and atmosphere. ‘In Dust’ is not something you can really just whack on in the background, but I don’t think Roll the Dice are ever really going to encourage such listening habits. This is an album that not only requires, but deserves your full and uncompromising attention. Similarities to the likes of Caribou and even Kraftwerk can be heard on ‘Idle Hands’, which has an almost robotic quality to it. ‘Dark Thirty’ had me expecting the arrival of Regina Spektor on vocals with its incredibly simplistic but effective piano sound. If you are looking for something to soundtrack a trip to somewhere mind blowing, or just fancy something to help you there by itself I couldn’t recommend this highly enough.
Track Listing:-
1 Iron Bridge2 Calling All Workers
3 Idle Hands
4 Maelstrom
5 Dark Thirty
6 The Skull Is Built Into The Tool
7 Evolution
8 The Suck
9 Cause And Effect
10 Way Out
11 See You Monday
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/rollthedicesthlmhttp://rollthedicesthlm.com/
http://www.theleaflabel.com/en/artists/view/50/
Label Links:-
http://www.theleaflabel.com/en/index.phphttps://www.facebook.com/theleaflabel
https://twitter.com/theleaflabel
https://www.youtube.com/user/theleaflabel
https://plus.google.com/109098497483046618790
soundcloud
reviews |
Until Silence (2014) |
![]() |
Intriguing but compelling third album from Stockholm-based experimental duo and mini-orchestra, Roll The Dice |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCarty
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Loft - Interview
Vapors - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
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