Reviews
In the desert, a film canister coated in patina and sand. Crack it open and take out the amber-tinted film reel. Study it in the chalk colored sun. What do you hear, in your mind? Odds are it sounds like, “Language Lessons,” the new ambient album by Daniel McKenzie/Identical Homes. The record’s opener, Deer Park Howling, enters like a gust of wind hissing through electronic sunflower stalks that cascades into a sweeping Raymond Pettibon wave of pulsing ink-black beats and swirling synthesized water. From the control panel groove of Sailor, Baby—a limber starship jam that feels like playing Defender on acid— to the gentle stream of mottled blood cells that enlivens Language Lessons, the album’s CODA, each song transports you into its own neo-noir landscape, like a short film playing on an Astronaut’s gold-coated visor. This album is strong medicine for baleful times. – Jason Martin, Author
To label “A. Hydrophelia” the new album from Daniel McKenzie/Identical Homes, “electronic” or “post rock” music does not work at all. More like a ride in the musical cockpit flanked by a caffeinated Brian Eno and a giddy Dean Stockwell. McKenzie’s music bridges the electronic and the organic through warm sonic landscapes underlaid by luminescent beats that shudder like dust flakes pulsated by red camera eyes.
From the crescendoing pop perfection of “The Shape of”; to the legitimate get-down of “Formula”; to the sweeping, clench-jawed epic, “Spirit Come Home;” this is assured, coherent music drenched in the melodic echoes and stains of nostalgia and solitude— the eerie field note transmissions of an exile peering in through the cracks in the kingdom walls. – Jason Martin, Author
a perfect pop release for the hot summer months, and likely to be snapped up by even the casual observer on first sight. Not only is this release a sweet sonic confection, it’s also an objet d’art. – A Closer Listen
Calm, lush, and quiet are words that come to mind. This is to indie-rock what chill-out music is to electronic dance music. It’s less in your face, less hard edged. Way less. This is soft, squishy, peaceful stuff that gives you the feeling of floating away on a cloud. One track that creeps me out just a bit, though, is “Hive Minds.” Or at least the very opening of it, which is a recording of flying insects buzzing around. The album nicely blends guitars and drums with electronics and a beat. I really like “Isolation,” the second track on the album. It’s got a nice indie-pop feel, and rhythm that propels it forward, and such a chill atmospheric sound. “Ever After” has a nice loping sound, and a bit of down home feel, thanks to what sounds like sampled banjo punctuating the background. – Jersey Beat
I am still opening only about one out of two hundred music e-mails, but the ones I have managed to open and actually listen to have been very impressive. These two tracks from San Francisco’s Identical Homes’ new album Machine Made Moods are too wonderful not to want to share. I am also nuts about the fourth track, “Carl’s Lament,” which is really two songs in the same track. The album title perfectly describes the electronica-on-acid, floating-on-air ambiance of songs that slowly melt onto skittering beats. – Elbows
I love this time of year. My kids are out of school, starting tomorrow. We’ve been enjoying our son’s baseball games, chilling out on the porch until dark, a little yard work and some serious (not really that serious) street carving sessions on our skateboards lately. The soundtrack to these recent good times has been the electro-pop beats of Identical Homes’ new LP, A. Hydrophelia. – 3Hive
From Oakland, California comes Daniel McKenzie, an upcoming electronic producer who’s been making some tunes under the name, Identical Homes. Conjuring up thoughts of The Album Leaf and Pinback, ‘Miles and Miles’ boasts softly voiced harmonies that are layered gently over a smooth, and somewhat delicate production. ‘Miles and Miles’ will definitely have you hitting the repeat button. – Acid Stag
If there was ever a time to break out the spirit fingers, it is now. Once the song actually moves past the intro region, this actually is quite delicious. But AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO HEARS MICHAEL W SMITH IN THIS shit? Am I the only kid with bible thumper parents? – SYFFAL
If you like your electronic music with some warmth and emotional depth, this is the album for you. Post-rock and electronic sounds blend seamlessly, vocals are soft and breathy, and the whole thing is supported by pretty guitar work. Gentle, wistful, airy, and clever, this is a gorgeous effort. – East Bay Express