published: 9 /
11 /
2007
Label:
Domino Records
Format: CD
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
Review
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
Freitag
2
Ivx4
3
Post Reprise
4
Verschieden
5
Abc
6
Zigue Zague
7
Enigma
8
H 5
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