Matmos — The West

This  is a reissue of  98’s  third album from the often abstract and odd sound obsessed electrionca duo of Matmos. With the whole album finding the pair in a surprisingly approachable, Organic and harmonic mood- with little of the ‘look how clever we are’ edge to the work that sadly permeates much of the pairs work.

The central element, texture and sonic player here is manipulated acoustic/electric guitar and stringed elements- which the pair arrange and place in a very organic, subtle and un-sampled college like manner. There are electronic beats & elements, along with turntable element here - but there are often down played for a more earthy, human and often charming sonic air. With all the five tracks been upbeat yet human and grounded in there percussive elements and intent. The album perfectly fits its title as it’s a  heady mixing pot of sonic Americana in the form of : folk, blues, country tone, jazz ‘n’ funk. 

Thankful there is little of the bands love of odd & often disgusting sound source and thier over use here either- there are still touches of sound source elements  used such as: bible page turning, cigarette and dice sound- but they never over take the songs structure and the pair always stay true to keeping atmospheric and harmonic structure. Each of the five tracks are fairly lengthy around the ten minute mark each- but there’s always a feeling of surprise and moving forward with-in the tracks; yet they still manage to keep their sonic theme and atmospheric till the tracks end points.

Really The West is one of the finest & inventive electronic organic crossbreeds your likely to come across. It’s also has a  real human and enjoyable air running through out it & if like me you’d written off much of Matmos work as been too showy, gimmick lined this really is the album to change your mind.