Dude Descending a Staircase

by

Apollo 440

Edit

"Dude Descending a Staircase" successfully straddles the fence between the ambient and the exciteable styles that Apollo 440 has previously shown. Fans of the former often point to "Millenium Fever" and much of "Electroglide in Blue" as proof that the band can create lush, atmospheric, complex electronic music. The other camp, those that dig much of "Gettin' High on your Own Supply" know that @440 can rock, with big beats, brash vocals and when necessary, power guitar. Their latest work, indeed underappreciated (and unreleased in the US...found mine in Holland just this year!), generally keeps these styles separated between two discs.

The first CD showcases the party tracks, starting with the title cut, featuring the Beatnuts on vocal. yes, it's a bit corny and the hip-hop flavor doesn't really suit the band. Luckily, the rest of the tracks shine. "Hustler's Groove" is funky, with soaring 70's guitar and a great dance beat. "Disco Sucks", "Civil Disobedience" and "1,2,3,4" are in the mold of the "Gettin' High" LP- singalong shouty vocals and that synth bass bubbling that features prominently on many of that LPs tracks. Another gem on the first dis is "Escape to beyond the planet of the super ape" which, despite it's silly title, is a great space jam. It should be noted here that the 3 primary musicians (the Gray brothers and Noko) are all accomplished multi-instrumentalists and producers, which comes through especially well on "Escape..."

The second LP is the more downtempo side. Beginning with a looped acoustic guitar over Jack Kerouac's beat poetry on San Francisco, "Diamonds in the Sidewalk" has atmosphere to spare. "something's Got to Give" and "Christiane" each feature Elizabeth gray, who's voice will be familiar to fans of the "Electrolide in Blue" LP. These tracks, and indeed, all of those on the second disc are jazzy, sultry, evocing 70's funk and soul, plenty of guitar and bass, some horns, and swirling string stabs. The highlight, perhaps is "Rope, Rapture and The Rising Sun", a 7 minute chillout of a track with so many layers coming and going, all of which integrate very well.

Overall, "Dude Descending a Staircase" showcases a mature sort of electronic band...one that knows how to have a good time and craft meaningful, emotive songs at the same time. Well worth tracking down.

I loved Gettin High On Your Own Supply and Electro Glide In Blue, but this doesn't compare to them in the least. It has it's moments but overall I'm disappointed.

Disc 1 is okay, and some of the songs are enjoable

Dude Descending A Staircase (3/5) - The opener is Okay, featuring rap from the Beatnutz but it gets boring quickly

Hustler Groove (3/5) - It's far too long, and it doesn't change much throughout. Listening to the first minute is the same as listening to the full 6 minutes. The lyrics aren't spectacular, but they're OK.

Disco Sucks (4/5) - One of the album's high points. A catchy little song, but not Apollo 440 at they're best. This is really different from the music from their other albums.

N'Existe Pas (2/5) - I usually skip this one.

Electronic Civil Disturbance (2/5) - I liked this one at first, but repeat listens reveal it to be unimaginative and repetative. The lyrics are afwul (People, people, people stand up: let's get down). Very inspiring guys.

1,2,3,4 (4/5) - I like this one, even though the lyrics aren't much better than ECD, the music is catchy and I like the guitar work. This sounds more like the music from Gettin High.

Escape To Beyond The Planet Of The Super Ape (5/5) - This is a totally different direction, and it's a nice change. Sounds very space-like, and the drum work is good. Not too keen on some of the samples though, but still probably the third best song.

Time's Running Out (6/5) - This is more like it. Without a doubt the best song on the album. I listen to this song loads. Also featured on the SWAT soundtrack.

Childen Of The Future/Suitase 88 (3/5) - Why they put this song on twice under different names I don't know. The only difference is that Suitcase 88 has no lyrics, and sounds a little better for it. This song is a chillout one and it sounds quite good.

The second CD is the let down. It's just a bad chill out CD. The only good songs here are Suitcase 88 and Bulletproof Blues (5/5) the last good song on here. Some songs (In particular Diamonds In The Sidewalk and Bad Chemistry are so miserable and monotonous that I'm not going to waste my time writing them a proper review.

All in all, you'd be better off buying Gettin High On Your Own Supply, their best album and leaving this one alone. If you really want the good songs, try tracking them down on the internet.