Review: Rude Audio – That Dirty Echo
This album is a sheer delight to listen to.For those new to electronica/dubstep/techno,here is a fizzy mix of tracks to initiate you.This album,the debut from Rude Audio,consists of 13 tracks.Rude Audio are from South London,and they include musicians,vocalists,producers and engineers.They have been active for three years,releasing music under the name Unusual And Electric,and winning praise from BBC Radio DJs Nemone,Rob da Bank and Gideon Coe.Also Drowned In Sound and Clash Music have praised their work highly.The music is best described as 90s nostalgia,plus techno and dubstep influences.This album is original and refined.
Released on 14th November 2011,That Dirty Echo lives up to its name.I loved the opening track,Now It’s Light-with its revitalising “wake-up”sound.Sleep Delays My Life is excellent.Funky and chunky,its repetitive theme persists on the ear. Lufbra Vigil sounds like Madness on a trip.
Lush,lively and polished,best describes Streatham Rising.A neat piece of work here,and not too harsh on the ear.
A favourite track of mine.Now Its Dark sounds like a GOOD remix;which of course it isn’t.Not so keen on Rise In Peckham though,although it has a message.
Hippy House I did like – pure techno pleasure.Fin On A Hill is in the same vein ….nice and lightweight techno listening,crystalline and classy with it. Matty Dub is fun;reggae-style and cheerful,short and sharp.
Wise Blood is a bit jagged on the ear,but it nevertheless fits in to the Rude Audio slot.Undertow Experiment is a bit Dr Who theme-y,with a spot of Hank Marvin style dubbed guitar thrown in.Mmm,intriguing!
Fever Scientist,the penultimate track,is very dreamlike and haunting,yes its the most haunting track on the album,sounding like a Twin Peaks theme.
The last track,Cutter And Bass is a perfect ending to a brilliant first album.
by Juliet Robertson
