MUSIC REVIEWS
Fischerspooner - Odyssey
Matt Jameson
What an unusual album this is. Fischerspooner is the brainchild project of two electronic composers Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner who decided to meld their last names to form a name for this project. This is their second release, following their debut 2002 album titled ”#1”.
Fischerspooner is easily one of the most unknown yet highly talented mainstream acts currently on the scene. This surprises me quite a bit considering their unique fusion of separate styles, which combine perfectly. This album is not a new release, just more of a recent discovery I made while surfing the net. After reviewing the disc I felt compelled to write this review for your Noysey readers. I feel that fans of acts such as The Postal Service, Boards of Canada, or The Killers would really enjoy this release. To describe its sound, I would compare it to some of the slower tracks from the hugely successful Trainspotting soundtrack combined with a little lo-fi.
Most tracks begin with a subtle intro and then slowly grow into grinding and harmonious tracks. Sweeping synthesizers build upon haunting bass lines to create their unusual sound. There’s a very ambient quality to the music, while in most cases the beat remains very disco / dance. This blend mixes quite well and is complimented by heavily digitized vocal tracks. One particular song “We need a war” is a highly sarcastic slap in the face for our current administration. The lyric that really caught my attention: “If we say we need a war,....we need a war” which addresses our societies tendency to react quickly based upon biased media coverage. It’s subtle yet also unusually powerful just like the rest of their music.
I also see a stark similarity to the 80’s cult sensation, Yaz. This comparison exists mostly in the synthesizer driven melodies, where a definite 80’s feel shines through. If you follow my reviews you might notice that I tend to frequently use the phrase “very playable” when referring to albums which sound good all the way through. This one almost makes that cut, yet I do find myself skipping over two of the twelve tracks as I play it through.
All in all it’s a decent addition to most collections, and fans of the new electronic movement will rejoice. But if you hate synthesized music, run like hell. This will be everything you hate, wrapped up in one convenient plastic wrapped package. Previews are available at Amazon.com for those who like to play before they pay. I’d recommend at least downloading a few MP3’s to add to your collection if this sounds like a band that you might enjoy. Acts like Fisherspooner are ushering in a new era of appreciation for electronic artists with fans of all ages. This trend may the antidote to the relentless stream of second-rate hip-hop currently flooding the industry.
