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 | Juno Reactor:Bible of Dreams (Blue Room - 1997) Here's one that proves techno can be artful, powerful and compelling, as opposed to repetitive, obnoxious and/or trite. Bible of Dreams from Juno Reactor is an exciting, and literally invigorating, release. The elements are nothing new... it's the masterful construction that sets this disc on its own higher plane. |
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Like a rich, flowing stream of nectar Jardin De Cecile opens beatlessly, to swirl and simmer. Many light effects shimmer and an unobtrusive beat begins to percolate the mix on a low boil. Five minutes into the track, the heat is raised. Metallic drums are wildly flailed and the electronics stir more busily, to suddenly fizzle away. Conga Fury then fades in with a wordless female wail and rapidly burbling synths. The conga drums begin to do their thing, a sound and style I find irresistible. Cymbal patterns, synth sequences, samples, whooshes and other effects are tastefully blended in this intoxicating fury.
The truly ecstatic God is God opens to a warbling female voice and deep, driving Arabic-influenced rhythm. The beat pounds, forceful without being grating. Assorted samples further the track's religious slant. Komit quietly basks in a spacy electronic haze, penetrated by a deep synth riff, then pummeled by precision beats, stroked by celestial-strings and eventually, fully stoked by hypersynth, frantic clanging and a driving rhythm, before it reverts back to a drifty state. The comparativley short (5:16), but driven Swamp Thing gets hot and sticky with its engaging bassline, fiery conga drumming and (surprise!) some down-home, rockin' slide guitar. You gotta love it! Kaguya Hime takes on a different rhythm, not quite so strong and somehow not as attention-grabbing as some of its predecessors, despite its Dark and enticing, Children of the Night expertly soars through a black nightsky, bending time and space in its wake. The spooky toy-organ bit, coupled with the relentless beat, chills me. And, isn't that Bela Lugosi I hear? The final 9.5-minute track, Shark serves as a chillout room from the rest of the disc, I suppose. Though well-crafted, the beatless, spacey gurgledy-blurp doesn't thrill me... I guess after all the excitement, I'm still ready for more. |
| I'm hoisting Both Thumbs for Bible of Dreams; and I believe most anyone (but the seriously anti-beat) can appreciate the dedication (and fun) that went into this recording. I've got my eyes open for more Juno Reactor, having only previously heard a few assorted comp tracks. |  |
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