Well I haven't been round much o' late having been so busy with reading a bunch o' books fer the sake of studying, analysing and trying to get a degree in English, on top of that me computer just up an' died on me. SO during this down time I got to thinkin, who in the heck am I gonna review when I make my triumphant return to the Olive Music an' I got to thinkin chris' sakes I haven't even told y'all my favourite album of the year...so far.
So here it is, my album of the year so far is Bibio's utterly gorgeous Ambivalence Avenue. In case y'all don't know I'm gonna give you a li'l background info on this hip new folktronica artist. His real name is Stephen Wilkinson, he's best mates with Boards of Canada and is signed to Warp Records. Does that cover it all? Well even if it doesn't just y'know google him.
Onto the business of this here album, for a start it's a big leap for Mr. Wilkinson from his previous ventures. Now don't get me wrong, I loved all of Bibio's earlier works, from fi to Vignetting The Compost, it's just they were perhaps a tad more basic and simple in their works compared to Ambivalence Avenue. He showed us that he was adept at fiddling with guitar loops and strange noises but with Ambivalence Avenue he steps it up not just musically but the fact he has lyrics and they're good is one of many reasons that this is one of my favourite albums.
Every track is a winner, from the opening/title track, Ambivalence Avenue, chock full o' guitar loopage and a catchy kinda 70s west coast feel to the whole arrangement. More impressive still is that Wilkinson adds his own vocals to many o' the tracks. Though as one reviewer stated it seems as though Bibio is always paying tribute to someone else and isn't distinct in his own musical vision and personality. Well I rather disagree with that, in my opinion it is the collection of influences so effortlessly muddled together that makes Bibio so damned good. You have the obvious funk influence on the track Jealous Of Roses but at the same times it has wonderfully phasered and phlanged and fuckered vocals that are reminiscent of the likes of Animal Collective or Crystal Stilts. The fact aul Bibs (his new nickname) marries these diverse influences and flings some style round it all proves that he indefinitely has a unique musical vision and that it is undeniably still developing but heck I think it'll be a cracker when it does develop.
Sadly I've been thinking of rethinking this article cause the guys over at Pitchfork consider this some of the best new music. An' by beard o' santa himself I don't particularly want to be associated with them. This here blog is by far a more reputable source fer yer choice cuts o' music.
Well I'll just disappear into obscurity again, hopefully not for too long like last time.
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