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splendid > reviews > 11/18/2002
Mochipet Randbient Works 2002 Btrendy Format Reviewed: CD Soundclip: "Dessert Search for Techno Baklava"
An open letter to Mochipet: Oh, Mochipet... when we last talked, during those wild and youthful days of Spring 2002, you -- blinded by illusions of grandeur -- were giving away your albums to anyone who asked for them via your nifty website. Unfortunately, I didn't have anything too positive to say about your work back then, but you seemed to take it on your chin like a gentleman. While still mighty derivative, Randbient Works 2002 gives me a clearer idea of who Mochipet is, and not just an illustration of the records you listen to. At times you create these dense drill 'n' bass tracks, pounding us lucky listeners with a pomo pastiche of samples, programmed sequences and quirky sound effects. At others, you focus upon a single voice -- cleverly sampled from any number of kitsch sources like monologues, advertisements and films (I love the Full Metal Jacket lift). It's this sort of self-reflexive stuff that I get the biggest kick out of: "The Adventures of Flamenco Boy" and its deconstructed Spanish guitar line in a battle it can't win with an army of IDM glitch-trickery. Nice skittering break beat on this track, by the way, and the use of a shimmering ride cymbal to carry us through the bridge really opens up the sonic space you've engineered. Same goes for the aggressive "Backyardwrestling" and the house vibe on "Fix It with Autotune" -- you're experimenting with dynamics in a way that is beginning to demonstrate your strengths as a composer and not just a patchwork artist. Really, though, as nice-sounding as they are, tracks like "Dorboro" are just a stiff rip-off of Aphex Twin. (Is it "Girl/Boy" this time? I don't have my copy handy.) Granted, you're still stealing from the best, but how much longer can this go on? Just imagine the accolades and the critical attention if you actually did produce something that rivalled Mr. James! In fact, this time around the quotation seems so direct that I assume you're really "covering" these other tracks. But if that's the case, why not let us know that is your intent? We may even love you more, Mochipet! In any case, I'm with you now, and I can unreservedly recommend Randbient Works 2002 to any Splendid reader with an interest in cliq-hop, IDM, hard techno and the like. But my request for your next release -- if I may make one, Mochipet -- is that you put those Aphex and Squarepusher records away for a month or so before you begin to work. The result will certainly be akin to the cluttered brilliance of "Dessert Search for Techno Baklava", which is easily the best composition you've released thus far. More of the same! More of the same! Best regards, -- Mike Baker
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