Album Description: Visionary, Forefather, Innovator...these are terms that get thrown around all to loosely in the world of electronic music, but for certain individuals, these descriptions apply without question. Jack Dangers, the veteran composer and sound sculptor behind Meat Beat Manifesto, is one of these individuals. His constantly evolving musical invention has generated a long string of futuristic classics, such as "Strap Down", "God O.D.", "Helter Skelter","Psyche Out", "Radio Babylon", "Edge of No Control" and "It's the Music". Past Dangers' production/remix projects include: Public Enemy, David Bowie, Orbital, DepĂche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, Coil, David Byrne, Bush, Banco de Gaia, and The Shaman. Adding to this list of heavy hitting achievements, the single, "Prime Audio Soup" from the MBM album Actual Sounds and Voices, was featured in the sci-fi fantasy blockbuster, The Matrix and on its platinum-selling soundtrack. Danger's innovative uses of samples and breakbeats have inspired countless artists (both in the dance and hip-hop worlds), putting him in a category with other visionary artists of the late 80's/early 90's such as Coldcut, The Dust Brothers, and The Bomb Squad. R.U.O.K? , MBM's seventh album and first in 4 years, represents a healthy growth in the innovative Meat Beat sound, and includes colloborations with turntablist of the moment, Z-Trip, and ambient legend Alex Paterson of The Orb.
Album Description: 2002 album from electronic careerist Jack Dangers, features contributions from Alex Paterson of The Orb and turntablist/mentalist Z-Trip. With frequent funk samples and snippets of obscure '50s traditional vocals all over it, RUOK? still has much in common with his series of populist breaks records. Includes bonus enhanced mini CD with 3 extra songs 'Fromage', 'Untitled x 2', 'Radio Atlantis' and video 'Free Piece Suite'. Digipak. Run records.
pretty good Not so bad, this one. Some of it and this is an acquired taste - but I think it's worth it. Good, deep, bass-y beats.
Creative, but difficult I also have to cut a star because the last track consists mostly of two people swearing profusely at each other, which I found rather offensive. In any case, we'll just leave the last track alone and focus on the rest of the album. This is one of those albums where I'll say it very bluntly: it's repetitive. Now, understand that I say this as a techno fan, so you can imagine that this is of the more repetitive variety of generally repetitive music. The songs here aren't so much songs as they are loop progressions, sort of musical spirals. (Except for "Intermission," which is just very odd. An apparently aged recording of a very tired and philosophical radio announcer, backed up by a warped jazz organ.) I tend to think that MBM is more about enjoyment than making a serious statement, and this album definitely shows it. Tracks range from the minimalistic "Yuri" to the dark and trippy "No Words Necessary," with plenty in between. This is MBM more jazzy than I've ever heard them (or him; it's Jack Dangers and a few helpers, really.) Some time ago I heard an interview with Dangers talking about the style he's doing now, and he commented that his dad is into jazz quite a bit and has influenced his musical style in that direction. That in mind, RUOK? fits in the scheme of things. The result of all this is a rather esoteric album, and one that no one will really hear by skipping around from track to track. If you really want to enjoy it (and in spite of my negativity, I will say that I enjoy all but the last track,) sit down in a quiet room and listen to the whole thing. Gradual progression is about the whole track or the whole album, and loopy music like this loses its appeal if you look for the "good part."
All Grown Up We were all kids once, and so was Jack Dangers. To me this album proves that he is now all grown up. No longer flinging alarmist left-wing rhetoric and prophecy, Dangers is now entering into a larger world of abstract electronics and exploration-- a world that he and his bandmates seem to gravitate to naturally. Although some of the songs seem to shift perpetually, this sounds very natural to the ear, and leads me to admire MBM even more for their efforts. Other songs drive along nicely, such as "Handkerchief Head"-- if this song doesn't make your boot-toes tap, I don't know what will. A definite must for fans of Meat Beat!
I'll see your Actual Sounds + Voices and raise you RUOK "RUOK" is a brilliant piece of genre-mixing from one of electronic music's most deservedly renowned figures. Jack Dangers's spacey, freeform explorations provide a welcome more organic counterpart to the more intellectual stylings of such British peers as Aphex Twin and Autechre. Taking electronica as a starting point, the compositions on RUOK veer off into other styling with abandon, seemlessly incorporating jazzy drumbeats, funky bass lines, and irresistible hip-hop rhythms. It's all wrapped tightly together in a collection of quirky, intricate tracks whose nuances should have your brain working overtime for the album's whole hour-long running time. Techno, hip-hip, industrial, call it what you want: RUOK is one of the most intelligent and forward-looking releases you're likely to hear, and a must for the adventurous listener.
New Directions for MBM This record seems to mark a turning point for Jack Dangers and his project Meat Beat Manifesto. Its everything Jack can do, but nothing like meat beat has done before. You cant compare this album to actual sounds and voices, or subliminal sandwhich. RUOK? Is more of an acoustic session inside the tapelab, with jack having fun with his gizmos gadets and of course, synthi. At first listen you'll swear its not MEat BEat. The danceability to RUOK? is hihgly minimal. Its a great cd for driving however. "What does it all mean?" is sure to please every electro-hip hop seeker, and the other songs simply show Jack's studio wizadry. Like someone mentioned before, the production is IMPECCABLE. This isn't just an audio cd, mbm release, but more of a package of music that is intended to be a productive listening experience in the way is was created. If your a long time MBM fan, be prepared to play twice before listening, literally. That's certainly not an understatement though, as every listen gets better and better.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
