Product Description Now available via Cargo. Blondes, the duo of Sam Haar and Zach Steinman, release their self-titled debut album for RVNG Intl. Haar and Steinman met at Oberlin College in 2003, where they studied electroacoustic composition and studio art respectively, and became collaborators in a smattering of short-lived experimental outfits. After graduation and stints apart in Oakland and NYC, Haar and Steinman regrouped in Berlin where Blondes was born, eventually settling on Brooklyn for home base. Blondes quickly evolved from a home studio project to a live experience built around a tactile assemblage of synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines. The Touched EP (Merok, 2010) demonstrates Haar and Steinman s early interest in an improvisational process that remains embedded in their creative approach, while touching upon their adoration of German composer Manuel Göttsching and his seminal E2-E4 album. The basement and warehouse venues that curiously welcomed Blondes syrupy, spacecase dance music provided a reactive environment for the duo to develop their sound and work ethic. But as they started playing at nightclubs renowned for their sound systems and ecstatic dance floors, Haar and Steinman realized a potential for their music to resonate at a higher fidelity and deeper frequency, both sonically and spiritually. Blondes heart aligned with house music in its most liquid form. A 12 series on RVNG Intl. was initiated in 2011 to document Blondes evolution. Each record contains a pair of tracks that explore the concept of duality through a personal lens intensely focused on moving the body. Available as limited edition vinyl pressings, these six tracks are collected together in album form along with two new offerings, Gold and Amber . Almost entirely improvised and recorded in single takes, Gold and Amber are inspired by complexity and purity, which manifests in the manic energy and bliss of the parallel tracks. Blondes journey of musical discovery is reflected in a companion disc featuring eleven remixes by friends, peers, and heroes including JD Twitch of Optimo, Dungeon Acid, SFV Acid, John Roberts, Andy Stott, Robert Miles (yes, that Robert Miles), Teengirl Fantasy, Bicep, Traxx, Laurel Halo, and Rene Hell.
J**S
Dancy, hypnotic, ecstatic
This record got a 10/10 from Drowned in Sound, which made me curious enough, as I'd never heard of those Brooklyn guys. It's a fantastic collection of long, dancy, disco-indebted tracks that draw heavily on the same aesthetics found on Lindström's records, albeit with a fresher sound. The entire album's still streaming on Blondes' Soundcloud page, but I just had to buy it, as it's made me so happy in the past few months.
H**T
good chiller music
Cd arrived as promised, I saw the band at Roskilde 2012 and the music was as expected.. it's really nice to play this music if you wanna chill or even sleep...
L**L
very atmospheric
Smooth, steady trance good for long drives, art/writing sessions at home or at the studio, very chill. I think the addition of occasional soft vocals in a few tracks would round this out for me.
R**N
3 stars...its ok.
some of the samples had promise but after getting the entire songs i was let down somewhat.its sleek sounding electronica. sort of underworld-ish, berlin-ish, orb-ish, moroder-ish - etc.while i like the shiftiness of the songs some of the effects and fill-ins get a bit toot-and-whistly for what should be lush electronica. and some of the intros before the beat starts seem a bit long...over a minute.its a pleasant listen though but not as polished as i had hoped. try to find full length samples before purchase.
R**E
BORING
I bought this after reading a review from Drowned In Sound's editor, who had given this a 10/10. I've come to find out that he gives everything a 10/10. This album is derivative and unimaginative. It is as boring as all hell.
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1 month ago
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