Rod - Klockworks 11 mp3

In a nutshell: this is a beaming release.A more elaborate take: Anindica is one the year's finest peak hour tunes, topic closed. With two savage, overlapping acid synth lines, a rudimental 4x4 onslaught, more pummeling power in the bass department than a steam train headed downhill, Rod does a lot with with just the basic equipment. Structure wise, it erupts with a 303 stab as soon as the first kick thrusts, and by the time the hi-hats fly in some sixty seconds deep, subsequently intensifying some thirty seconds later, the energy really accumulates, and all acidic glory and fury gets unleashed over the torrid percussion. Simple in execution, yes. Effective, very much so. Anindica is a more than fine example of great techno music - period. It's invigorating, its massive sound just begs to be played out, and the rest is, as they say, techno history. Just watch the crowd when this is dropped. An exercise in purism. Madness! Probably my favorite on the label thus far.Much to my surprise, the B side, Hux, goes in the opposite direction. Groovy rhythm, and lavish, shimmering synths cascading upon mellow beats and open hats. Listen carefully to the ascending progression, and notice how this reminds of the heavenly older Parallel 9 releases, in particular "Index" and "Technique". Far from a rip off, Rod reapplies the almost dubby, gradual, movement from one chord to another that Steve Rachmad practically perfected under that moniker. Those familiar with that project will probably mock my observation, as few can hold a candle to a Y2K Rachmad, with Parallel 9 being in a league of its own, but Rod is just really at home with his devices. He's obviously been taking some notes, but rather than just recreating what has already been done over a decade ago, he does it with his own twist, and on Klockworks 11, it works wonders. In essence, Hux retains that dub techno aesthetic, but fuses it with a more conventional, if you want to call it that, upbeat techno sorrounding. The outcome is outstanding. As someone already pointed out, Hux will probably be underplayed and overshadowed, not because of its inferiority when compared to the A side, but because of the simple fact that Anindica is such an euphoric sonic avalanche, such an outburst of techno exuberance, that no DJ (or dancer for that matter) will resist its charms.In my opinion, Rod holds the title for having released two of the finest pieces of vinyl on this label. Most will probably just jump on the banwagon and place bets on the DVS1 release, because of its elusiveness, but Rod has really made a name for himself in the techno circuit with a fistful of amazing tracks. It's all about quality over quantity. For a two tracker, quality is literary encapsulated in wax here. Get it while it's hot and available.

Great review, point on!