Matera reviews
The combination of Mick Harris and Mauro Teho Teardo proves to be a volatile one indeed. The tracks here alternate between slow, creepy Scorn type material with a more electronic edge to super frantic drum n bass with sticking loops and over-modulated bass hits. The vocals provide just the right amount of substance, lending more of an eerie presence than a meaningful depth. This is abrasive and thoroughly entertaining. mjeanes
Mick Harris of Scorn and M. Teho Teardo of Meathead combine forces for this debut album for a project they call Matera. From just a short listen it seems that Matera combines the best elements of both into quite a unique listening experience. Mick focuses on the stark minimalism of sound that he uses so well in Scorn to build the base material on each track while M. Teho adds subtle textures that fill in the cracks. Mr. Teardo also lends rap-chant vocal style to most of the tracks which seem to breathe even more intrigue into this darkly ambient dub record. For the most part the album is very subdued and laid back, giving the listener a chance to fully appreciate all of the complex programming. However a few off the songs shed their intricate skin in favor of more mercurial rhythms. The two most impressive items about this release are the three remixes tacked onto the end of the album which are so reworked from the originals that they are completely different songs and the album artwork which was designed my M. Teho Teardo himself. In conclusion, if you find yourself enjoying Scorn then you'll definitely spend some quality listening time with Matera. Jester (courtesy of the Sonic Boom website)
Overall impression: good. This essentially sounds like recent Scorn, except that about half of tracks have subdued, whispered vocals by Mauro and 3 or 4 tracks are fast drum 'n bass numbers. For the most part though, the slow big bass, drum and ambience sound of Scorn is prevalent. If you liked Scorn's "Zander" or "Whine", you'll most likely like this. Listening to all three in one evening would be a bit tedious though ... mark@southwind.net
Mick Harris & Mauro Teho Teardo share responsibility for this material which can move surprisingly close to commercialism. An interesting, intriguing project. Certainly, the slow Rap-like quality of the opening track is as close to chartability as I imagine Mr. Harris will ever want to get. Quite hooky and distinctive with the voice a low calm tone as if he were a friend sharing intimate secrets, with a cool grace to it. After this the album becomes a mixture of Drum 'n' Bass and slow Dub (basically SCORN beats with a selection of more upfront sounds riddling through it). Tempos vary from the manic pace of "Pure Realism" & "Darkside 11am" to a more sedate dreamstate meander of "Non É" & "Too Much". Which I felt makes for an uneven but fascinating album. The thing that most struck me was that, as repetitive as this style of music can be, it is in no way an album of wallpaper. There's enough change, enough going on and as much tonal change as you can take without it becoming a sample & fx fest. If you are familiar with these guy's work you'll know that they delve into areas of darkness, but it's more like the coming of twilight than stygian night. Fans of either (or both) of these guys wont be disappointed. There's less of an experimental nature to it than with other works - they stick pretty much to a mainstream beat core which probably makes it seem more widely appealing than it actually is (by which I once more mean 'commercial'). As interesting as you might imagine and worthy of long term exploration. Antony Burnham (courtesy of Metamorphic Journeyman website)
Mick Harris of Scorn and M. Teho Teardo of Meathead combine forces for this debut album for a project they call Matera. From just a short listen it seems that Matera combines the best elements of both into quite a unique listening experience. Mick focuses on the stark minimalism of sound that he uses so well in Scorn to build the base material on each track while M. Teho adds subtle textures that fill in the cracks. Mr. Teardo also lends rap-chant vocal style to most of the tracks which seem to breathe even more intrigue into this darkly ambient dub record. For the most part the album is very subdued and laid back, giving the listener a chance to fully appreciate all of the complex programming. However a few off the songs shed their intricate skin in favor of more mercurial rhythms. The two most impressive items about this release are the three remixes tacked onto the end of the album which are so reworked from the originals that they are completely different songs and the album artwork which was designed my M. Teho Teardo himself. In conclusion, if you find yourself enjoying Scorn then you'll definitely spend some quality listening time with Matera. Jester (courtesy of the Sonic Boom website)
Overall impression: good. This essentially sounds like recent Scorn, except that about half of tracks have subdued, whispered vocals by Mauro and 3 or 4 tracks are fast drum 'n bass numbers. For the most part though, the slow big bass, drum and ambience sound of Scorn is prevalent. If you liked Scorn's "Zander" or "Whine", you'll most likely like this. Listening to all three in one evening would be a bit tedious though ... mark@southwind.net
Mick Harris & Mauro Teho Teardo share responsibility for this material which can move surprisingly close to commercialism. An interesting, intriguing project. Certainly, the slow Rap-like quality of the opening track is as close to chartability as I imagine Mr. Harris will ever want to get. Quite hooky and distinctive with the voice a low calm tone as if he were a friend sharing intimate secrets, with a cool grace to it. After this the album becomes a mixture of Drum 'n' Bass and slow Dub (basically SCORN beats with a selection of more upfront sounds riddling through it). Tempos vary from the manic pace of "Pure Realism" & "Darkside 11am" to a more sedate dreamstate meander of "Non É" & "Too Much". Which I felt makes for an uneven but fascinating album. The thing that most struck me was that, as repetitive as this style of music can be, it is in no way an album of wallpaper. There's enough change, enough going on and as much tonal change as you can take without it becoming a sample & fx fest. If you are familiar with these guy's work you'll know that they delve into areas of darkness, but it's more like the coming of twilight than stygian night. Fans of either (or both) of these guys wont be disappointed. There's less of an experimental nature to it than with other works - they stick pretty much to a mainstream beat core which probably makes it seem more widely appealing than it actually is (by which I once more mean 'commercial'). As interesting as you might imagine and worthy of long term exploration. Antony Burnham (courtesy of Metamorphic Journeyman website)