OLD — Formula

The swansong of OLD displays a very structured and stripped-down version of the futuristic psychedelica of its predecessor 'Musical Dimensions Of Sleastak'. The use of vocoders injects the music with a sense of melody new to OLD.

Experiences with drones and ambient left their mark: James Plotkin's ideosyncratic use of guitarloops and more straightforward drumbeats makes the songs more 'open' and gives them a poppier appeal but also an almost symphonic quality. The overall sound of the album remains unprecedented and it's very hard to compare it to any other band.

The first song, 'Last Look', is divided in two parts. The first is rather fast and has various clean, looped guitarparts and dreamy vocals. Halfway through the song, once the orchestra is in tune, part two starts: more heavy and slow with vocals floating around. Although the use of all the electronics and the drumcomputer certainly gives a certain sterility to the material, the feeling is rather warm. Songs like 'Break [You]' and 'Underglass' makes you feel like you're tucked in a warm blanket. Very soothing and very much unlike the aggressive and hectic sounds of 'Musical Dimensions Of Sleastak' and 'Lo Flux Tube'. The only song remeniscent of these might be 'Rid', a fastpaced piece and vocals leaning more towards the screams of the past. The last song, 'Amoeba' also has a little more hostility in it. A haunting and sometimes scary atmosphere is created with a slowly evolving guitar soundscape over a fast beat and a Roland 303 bassline.

Formula is OLD's most mature record and a decent final chapter of the history of the band.