Dopplereffekt Calabi Yau Space Zip Lock
'Cellular Automata' is the new album from Dopplereffekt (Rudolf Klorzeiger and To-Nhan), their first in ten years since 2007’s Calabi Yau Space on Rephlex.
As is par for the course in the Motor City electro scene, identities are unknown, but the emphasis on precise drum programming and effects sounds barely a year or two removed from the classic electric-funk days of 1982. Dopplereffekt debuted in 1995 with a mini-LP for Detroit's Dataphysix label, then released two EPs for the label during 1997: Infophysix and Sterilization.
Dopplereffekt reappears, this time on Rephlex, for CALABI YAU SPACE, another dark exploration of electronics. The angular intro of 'Calabi Yau Manifold' gives the. Shop Calabi Yau Space. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
The countless German references reflect the group's fascination with the classic Kraftwerk sound. After 'Sterilization' was included on several mix albums, DJ Hell contacted Dopplereffekt and released the Gesamtkunstwerk compilation through his international Deejay Gigolo label in 1999. The alias Japanese Telecom emerged in late 1999 to release the Rising Sun mini-LP through the once Ann Arbor-based Intuit-Solar Records. Dopplereffekt are from Detroit. Their electro-style resembles that of Drexciya, though it feels colder and the production is better (at least when compared to Drexciya's masterpiece 'The Quest' which was recorded rather poorly). The record feels cold and clinical though at the same time it can be very funny: 'We had to Sterilize the Population' said by a robot-voice ranks amongst my favourite lyrics in any genre! The music obviously reminds me of Kraftwerk, though the emphasis in their lyrics or songtitles tends more towards sex or (alien) domination (through technology).
The music is dark, minimal, cold and funny at the same time. They apply their few sounds like a surgeon cuts with his knife (or razorblade for that matter!). Thus they achieve maximum impact upon the unwary listener.
The music isn't fast as in 320bpm-fast, but it feels extraordinarily 'hard' and edgy. Strong stuff for sure. But served with the right amounts of irony and cynicism to top it off. Their Gesahmtkunstwerk really is a perfect record and one of the few worthy!
Extensions to Kraftwerk's own impressive catalogue.
Dopplereffekt reappears, this time on Rephlex, for CALABI YAU SPACE, another dark exploration of electronics. The angular intro of 'Calabi Yau Manifold' gives the listener a taste of the textures to come, as 'Hyperelliptic Surfaces' mixes a theramin with long granular sweeps before the electro synths move in.
'Holomorpic N-0 Form' is pure industrial sound sculpture, while 'Compactification' twinkles for a moment like a dying star as it disappears. 'Non Vanishing Harmonic Spinor' wanders through the clouds like a alien ship searching for a way back home, whereas 'Hypersurface' sounds like it's trying to claw its way out of a haunted house. 'Dimension 11' closes out the album on a wobbly exploration of the outer reaches of the sonic dimension, but it's a worthwhile journey all the way through. A beautiful, creepy, robotic, musical romp. From the mid 90s and on through the 2000s we can see Dopplereffekt experimenting (successfully) with various styles, and sounds, ultimately arriving to this album. I personally love each incarnation of Dopplereffekt, and I feel all the different styles complement each other, like subatomic particles in harmonic holonic entanglement.
I revel in the science fiction and science themes in their albums, they bring that romantic aspect to the mystery encountered in research, These concepts are perfectly entwined with the sounds and rhythms, this is what is called 'next level shit'. Another masterpiece by the nebulous Drexciya legacy. Breaking with all conventional musical rules this records continues the journey into unexplored terrain much like other recent material in other disguises (Der Zyklus, Arpanet). IMHO the artist(s) behind it have discovered sound sculpturing with Absynth.
That's what makes it organic and machinesque at the same time all while sounding confusing to the uncommitted listener. The fascination and confusion arising with recent discoveries in modern physics is very much audible here. If you don't understand what the track titles mean you probably won't understand the music as well. Honestly, I really don't know what happened here. Considering the fact that I really loved their previous album, Linear Accelerator, in all of it's rough glory, I was surprised to find that this album did absolutely nothing for me, nor did it carry any of the creepy interplay between analog sonics and deep FM tones that were present on Linear Accelerator. Basically, all of the elements on Calabi Yau Space are the same you will find on their previous release, but much weaker.
The mood sounds forced and the synthwork sounds far too light, like it's an imitation of it's own self without any active sincerity. There's no doubt in my mind that Dopplereffekt is an impressive group. But like the mood shift from their first release to their second, I think maybe Gerald Donald (and company) should have taken another stylistic leap for their third, instead of retreading ground that was already done to near perfection. This is an amazing 37 minutes of true techno. 'Calabi Yau Space' feels to me like the kind of record that is instantly classic.
Scientist
The mood is that of the typical icy Dopplereffekt, but now with almost no obvious rhythm instruments throughout. The synths sound, for the most part, eerily distant, except for a few select moments in which the 'rhythm' breaks and Dopplereffekt takes a turn for glitch ('Hypersurface' is largely like this).
Calabi-yau Space Doctor Who
The stereo-pan effects on 'Hyperelliptic Surfaces' and 'Mirror Symmetry' are excellent. This is a great record to hear through a good pair of headphones.
Rephlex mystifies once again! Close out all other sounds around you and let Dopplereffekt rip your brain in two.