VHS Head - Trademark Ribbons of Gold

  On 1/6/2011 at 11:22 PM, elusive4 said:

why is this album mastered so fuking loud?

is the mastering on the vinyl any better? anyone want to rip to flac for me?

Vinyl is CD-sourced I think.

  On 1/7/2011 at 12:10 AM, Makinami said:

  On 1/6/2011 at 11:22 PM, elusive4 said:

why is this album mastered so fuking loud?

is the mastering on the vinyl any better? anyone want to rip to flac for me?

 

Vinyl is CD-sourced I think.

Gaw really? :\

  On 1/6/2011 at 11:22 PM, elusive4 said:

why is this album mastered so fuking loud?

is the mastering on the vinyl any better? anyone want to rip to flac for me?

the loudness wars were even more evident on team doyobi's last ep, as I recall.

  On 1/7/2011 at 12:10 AM, Makinami said:

  On 1/6/2011 at 11:22 PM, elusive4 said:

why is this album mastered so fuking loud?

is the mastering on the vinyl any better? anyone want to rip to flac for me?

 

Vinyl is CD-sourced I think.

wrong

I am loving this album in a way that I haven't loved anything for ages! Track 11, 'Motions', is one of the most tragically nostalgic things I've ever heard... Irene Caraesque vocals cut up against a tapestry of Teen Drama fanfares. It is hauntingly effective! BoC, eat your heart out...

motions is top

mastering is shit

say that to their face

  On 1/3/2011 at 8:34 PM, encey said:

I think it's too long -- I can't get through it all in one listen usually -- so last time I listened I decided to figure out which songs I would cut if I were doing a shorter release, but then every song that came on, I was like, 'This one's awesome! I can't cut this one out!,' thereby leaving every song on the album lol

Kind of how I feel about this album as well (same as the first Nuearz album, although that wasn't nearly as good as 'Trademark') as time's gone on. As much as I love it I can't remember how many times I've done it all in one go. I've also found it sounds a lot less abrasive than it might first seem with repeated listens, there are actually some lovely moments on there, such as 'Remote Control', moments of 'Twitch Of The Nerve' and 'Red Lens Effect'. The one thing I don't like about the album is the intro to 'Gianasi' which I loathe, although even that track soon picks up for me.

I like how they it splits up on the 4 sides. Its so long that its more like 4 mini EPs and I can start anywhere and enjoy it.

This thread will not die! Immense amount of posts for an album which is like a stealth bomber: Well under the radar but a total smash in the face.

Def a fucking mad album and going down well.

Easily the most underrated album of last year... and I mean that in the most literal sense - almost nobody rated it. When you google an album and the second hit is a WATMM thread you know it needs more exposure!

I keep coming back to this album every few weeks and listen to it excessively for a few days straight... ridiculously good.

Having read through about 25% of this thread, I leave seriously disappointed. That an album like this will still get accusations of being (in a summation of all the critiques) "mediocre glitch wanking" speaks nothing of the album itself, and volumes of the state that this community is in.

And not that I'm in any way critical of their output, but if i heard talk of "mediocre glitch wanking", and I didn't know what the subject was, I would assume the discussion was on any of Autechre's last three albums, or Grischa Lichtenberger, or something. Again, not that I AGREE that they are that, but it's simply that there is a tiny percent of REALITY to that POV, in that in some circles that MIGHT be interpreted such as the aforementioned tagline, because, you know, deconstructed and taken apart and from an uninformed, soulless perspective it IS that.

How this tagline pertains, in any objective manner, to VHS head is beyond me.

As somebody said (as part of an argument I don't fully agree with, but alas): this is a very, very, very aptly crafted pop album. It's simply AWESOME MUSIC, there is no fucking around with that, and it's awesome to an extent that it crosses over.

My dad might probably not instantly get Clark, or Autechre... (for the record the loathes Aphex and it has been impossible for me to get him on it)... but if I put VHS Head in his car, he would shit a fucking brink, instantly. Same goes for Burial, same goes for several other (but quite few) artists. Every once in a while comes along something that is so great that it transcends the need for instruction in some niche vocabulary on the listener's part. It's simply incredible MUSIC first, and very technical/soulful/groundbreaking/whatever glitch-hop-tronica-step-core gabber ambient black metal polka witch house second. And it's something very obvious, but due to its implacable delivery of awesome, not due to a lack of depth. It really is obvious.

Unless, you know... you're a jaded cunt.

Wait, so we're not allowed to say we don't like the album?

Its his 1st album guys. You cant go from no one to ultra mega famous. Unless youre some stupid Sony pawn singer.

Hes clearly talented, so I expect another few good releases from him and to get the exposure that he deserves eventually.

Also: No offence, but the electronic music scene seems to be fraught with jaded fucks.

I think he seems to be getting a bit of exposure in the right circles anyway. Just because he hasn't got instant RDJ fame doesn't mean he's not being appreciated.

  On 1/9/2011 at 10:24 PM, Ascdi said:

Wait, so we're not allowed to say we don't like the album?

No.

  On 1/9/2011 at 9:51 PM, Lube Saibot said:

Having read through about 25% of this thread, I leave seriously disappointed. That an album like this will still get accusations of being (in a summation of all the critiques) "mediocre glitch wanking" speaks nothing of the album itself, and volumes of the state that this community is in.

 

And not that I'm in any way critical of their output, but if i heard talk of "mediocre glitch wanking", and I didn't know what the subject was, I would assume the discussion was on any of Autechre's last three albums, or Grischa Lichtenberger, or something. Again, not that I AGREE that they are that, but it's simply that there is a tiny percent of REALITY to that POV, in that in some circles that MIGHT be interpreted such as the aforementioned tagline, because, you know, deconstructed and taken apart and from an uninformed, soulless perspective it IS that.

 

How this tagline pertains, in any objective manner, to VHS head is beyond me.

 

As somebody said (as part of an argument I don't fully agree with, but alas): this is a very, very, very aptly crafted pop album. It's simply AWESOME MUSIC, there is no fucking around with that, and it's awesome to an extent that it crosses over.

 

My dad might probably not instantly get Clark, or Autechre... (for the record the loathes Aphex and it has been impossible for me to get him on it)... but if I put VHS Head in his car, he would shit a fucking brink, instantly. Same goes for Burial, same goes for several other (but quite few) artists. Every once in a while comes along something that is so great that it transcends the need for instruction in some niche vocabulary on the listener's part. It's simply incredible MUSIC first, and very technical/soulful/groundbreaking/whatever glitch-hop-tronica-step-core gabber ambient black metal polka witch house second. And it's something very obvious, but due to its implacable delivery of awesome, not due to a lack of depth. It really is obvious.

 

Unless, you know... you're a jaded cunt.

  On 1/9/2011 at 10:24 PM, Ascdi said:

Wait, so we're not allowed to say we don't like the album?

I think that he's getting any attention purely on the basis of the records that he's released and nowt else is a damn good thing too. No pathetic OCD perfectionism/sheer laziness or spouting bollocks about unreleased albums to generate any undue hype. It'd be good if this album could raise the profile of Kris Blacow and Neil Scrivin a little too (provided that they are all separate people etc.).

  On 1/9/2011 at 7:57 PM, chassis said:

I like how they it splits up on the 4 sides. Its so long that its more like 4 mini EPs and I can start anywhere and enjoy it.

It think I now realize what the actual problem is:

  On 1/9/2011 at 10:25 PM, chassis said:

Its his 1st album guys. You cant go from no one to ultra mega famous.

Not saying this is YOUR problem, chassis, as you've had only fair and reasonable things to say on this topic despite not being mindblown.

That is to say... OF COURSE YOU CAN DISLIKE THIS, but dismissing this as "bah just more glitch wankery", even though it's so obviously NOT THAT, pretty much qualifies you as a jaded cunt. Which takes me back to the bit that I'm quoting from chassis - i think the very fact that it is his first album is an issue with some, via a very simple, and very very ugly thought process: "he's THIS good, and right off the bat, and on SKAM!? WHY NOT I HAZ CHEEZBURGER?! .... pfff, stupid soulless glitch."

And then it becomes fairly obvious why Aphex tried to distance himself from Tuss, why even after being unsuccessful in that endeavor he carries on to officially state that it's not him -> because fanboys will always be fanboys, and for fanboys the only important thing is how much e-peen or idm-peen they can secure via subscribing to something. The whole Tuss debacle was exactly

this bullshit: omg this awesome shit ohmigaws it's awesome, it can't just be some couple from fucknowswhere, it has to be aphex , HAS TO BE, ohmigawd it is because of that synth and i can tell from some of the pixels, ok now i can get behind it and REALLY tout its unabashed glory and, most importantly, NOW i can REALLY like it.

Of COURSE reputation influences perception, it does mine as well, of course, i'm not naive, but at least i try to only let it steer me positively, in the sense that i DO tend to follow things that go by the grace of reputation, but i DON'T DISMISS ANYTHING on account of how it hasn't acquired one yet: "it's too early to tell", "not that well known", "not that famous", "not aphex/sean/rob/BoC/tom/ceephax/clark/whatever".

This last bit is especially relevant in this discussion, on account of how VHS HEAD actually MIGHT be some daddy in disguise. I can't wait for all the fucking "oh it's just some mediocre glitch" naysayers to find out he's one half of BoC or something and then do all the fucking backtracking and "well, you knoowww, after a couple of listens... yeah.... 2010 ALBUM OF THE YEAR YEAAAAAH".

All I know is i found this guy on myspace and i thought (i still do, actually, i don't think he's anyone already famous) that he was just this crazy video aficionado with an immense collection of vhs tapes and ungodly aptitude at repurposing them. And it still blew me away. He may never tour, and i could go with never hearing a peep out of him ever, and i wouldn't care. Still best 2010 album hands-down, still completely not "mediocre glitch wankery". Not up your street/not your cup of tea? Fine, sure. But if you think it's objectively "mediocre glitch wankery" then you're a fucking moron.

  On 1/9/2011 at 11:43 PM, Lube Saibot said:

It think I now realize what the actual problem is:

[...] if you think it's objectively "mediocre glitch wankery" then you're a fucking moron.

If this was released on Warp, it probably would have had a lot more attention than it has. This album's great, I can't count the number of times I have listened to it so I think the reason why it is not on most top 2010 lists is because of poor marketing.

  On 1/9/2011 at 11:51 PM, KY said:

  On 1/9/2011 at 11:43 PM, Lube Saibot said:

It think I now realize what the actual problem is:

[...] if you think it's objectively "mediocre glitch wankery" then you're a fucking moron.

 

lol

  On 1/9/2011 at 11:22 PM, Caretstik said:

I think that he's getting any attention purely on the basis of the records that he's released and nowt else is a damn good thing too. No pathetic OCD perfectionism/sheer laziness or spouting bollocks about unreleased albums to generate any undue hype. It'd be good if this album could raise the profile of Kris Blacow and Neil Scrivin a little too (provided that they are all separate people etc.).

quoted for truth, on all points there

  On 1/9/2011 at 11:43 PM, Lube Saibot said:

This last bit is especially relevant in this discussion, on account of how VHS HEAD actually MIGHT be some daddy in disguise. I can't wait for all the fucking "oh it's just some mediocre glitch" naysayers to find out he's one half of BoC or something and then do all the fucking backtracking and "well, you knoowww, after a couple of listens... yeah.... 2010 ALBUM OF THE YEAR YEAAAAAH".

VHS Head really is Ade Blacow, it isn't anyone else.

but i do agree with the rest of your jib, for once, about how this place is kinda turning up on it's own arse end and sucking up the torrent of shit that flows from it's own arse.

  On 1/9/2011 at 11:43 PM, Lube Saibot said:

It think I now realize what the actual problem is:

 

  On 1/9/2011 at 10:25 PM, chassis said:

Its his 1st album guys. You cant go from no one to ultra mega famous.

 

Not saying this is YOUR problem, chassis, as you've had only fair and reasonable things to say on this topic despite not being mindblown.

 

That is to say... OF COURSE YOU CAN DISLIKE THIS, but dismissing this as "bah just more glitch wankery", even though it's so obviously NOT THAT, pretty much qualifies you as a jaded cunt. Which takes me back to the bit that I'm quoting from chassis - i think the very fact that it is his first album is an issue with some, via a very simple, and very very ugly thought process: "he's THIS good, and right off the bat, and on SKAM!? WHY NOT I HAZ CHEEZBURGER?! .... pfff, stupid soulless glitch."

 

And then it becomes fairly obvious why Aphex tried to distance himself from Tuss, why even after being unsuccessful in that endeavor he carries on to officially state that it's not him -> because fanboys will always be fanboys, and for fanboys the only important thing is how much e-peen or idm-peen they can secure via subscribing to something. The whole Tuss debacle was exactly

this bullshit: omg this awesome shit ohmigaws it's awesome, it can't just be some couple from fucknowswhere, it has to be aphex , HAS TO BE, ohmigawd it is because of that synth and i can tell from some of the pixels, ok now i can get behind it and REALLY tout its unabashed glory and, most importantly, NOW i can REALLY like it.

 

Of COURSE reputation influences perception, it does mine as well, of course, i'm not naive, but at least i try to only let it steer me positively, in the sense that i DO tend to follow things that go by the grace of reputation, but i DON'T DISMISS ANYTHING on account of how it hasn't acquired one yet: "it's too early to tell", "not that well known", "not that famous", "not aphex/sean/rob/BoC/tom/ceephax/clark/whatever".

 

This last bit is especially relevant in this discussion, on account of how VHS HEAD actually MIGHT be some daddy in disguise. I can't wait for all the fucking "oh it's just some mediocre glitch" naysayers to find out he's one half of BoC or something and then do all the fucking backtracking and "well, you knoowww, after a couple of listens... yeah.... 2010 ALBUM OF THE YEAR YEAAAAAH".

 

All I know is i found this guy on myspace and i thought (i still do, actually, i don't think he's anyone already famous) that he was just this crazy video aficionado with an immense collection of vhs tapes and ungodly aptitude at repurposing them. And it still blew me away. He may never tour, and i could go with never hearing a peep out of him ever, and i wouldn't care. Still best 2010 album hands-down, still completely not "mediocre glitch wankery". Not up your street/not your cup of tea? Fine, sure. But if you think it's objectively "mediocre glitch wankery" then you're a fucking moron.

Good points. While my comments dont suggest Im mindblown, this is definitly one of my favourite album from 2010. If you went back to the start of the thread you could probably hear me raving about it. (I bought the LP, something Im not known for doing regularly )

Its pretty clear the reason it didnt get a big massive write up from some of the online critics is because, like you said, when it comes to electronic music if its not aphex/clark/boc etc theyre not interested. Im sure reviewing music for a living you might eventually lose your passion for finding new music. I cant see that happening to me any time soon though.