LP Review: Active Child - You Are All I See

Active Child's debut album, You Are All I See was released today by Vagrant Records. Active Child, aka Pat Grossi is known for his harp-based and synth-heavy tracks, as well as his distinct falsetto. Grossi's 2010 Curtis Lane EP debuted to impressive reviews and a 7.7 rating on Pitchfork. On You Are All I See, Grossi brings the familiar sounds of his harp, synths, and heavy drums beats, but brings a more mature sound as well. Where Curtis Lane had been driven mostly by his haunting vocals and dancey beats, this new release is toned down and more rooted. Grossi doesn't try produce dance tracks that sounds more like their caught between a ballad and a 80s hit, he sticks to what he's great at: his instrumentation and composition. The tracks on You Are All I See hover around the topic of love, the loss of it, and confession. I don't think it would be cliche to call Grossi a hopeless romantic because he admits it himself; when speaking about track, "See Thru Eyes" he says "I will never forget that morning, waking up next to her. The sun pouring in the giant windows of my studio apartment...She was my obsession."


Active Child Hanging On


Active Child You Are All I See

The two singles so far, "Hanging On" and "You Are All I See" are some of the best, if not the best songs on the album. "Hanging On," one of the speediest songs of them all (along with "Playing House" featuring How To Dress Well) is a perfect example how emotionally charged and raw the whole LP is, as he sings ("Touch me and then turn away/ Put your hands into the flame/ Tell me if you feel this pain/ 'Cause I don't want to be a ball and chain"). The song peaks with strong harp and bass lines, and vocal melodies, and tones down at points reduced to just Grossi's falsetto and harp. "You Are All I See" remind me of "She Was a Vision" on Curtis Lane and is Grossi's attempt at convincing the girl he loved that she was all he needed. It does a pretty convincing job with slow vocals, synthed-out percussion and alternating slow and fast harp lines. Another great track is "Johnny Belinda", supposedly conceived while watching the TCM on mute, features an amazing, albeit profoundly sad bridge around 2:50; Grossi's favorite part of the entire album. It makes sense that this song is born out of watching movies because it is so epic sounding it seems to belong on a soundtrack to a black and white war movie.


Active Child Johnny Belinda


Active Child Playing House

Active Child's debut is all about this girl that he so desperately wants to be with, but to the audience it could be their own story. It is incredibly personal and I don't think it would have been as successful if it wasn't. It enthralls you, and I really wonder if he got the girl in the end! I have only listened to the album a handful of times since the clock stroked midnight this morning and I downloaded it, but I can tell you it is a beautifully and artfully crafted album. It doesn't contain the happiest of tunes and moods, but it'll definitely suit you if its a rainy day or if your struggling in a relationship.

And guys, if your reading this and have lasted this long, give this album a chance. Trust, it won't make you less manly if you listen to Active Child's music, you might actually learn something from Grossi's lyrics and spirit. Give it a chance and download the whole thing on iTunes for just $7.99!


Cheers!


~MAR

Greatest Hits: Experimental

This post is a little out there, hence the experimental tag. This is another installation of my greatest hits, showcasing several great tunes to unwind and expand the definition of electronic music while expanding your mind. If you're looking for big EDM hits, you won't find any here. This post is about the weird, the unrecognizable, and the music that doesn't quite fit into any one genre. It will catch your attention because you have never heard anything like it before, combining hip-hop elements with electronica, glitch with soul music, or even ambient with indie folk. Some of these artists have even defined their own unique genre, such as Nosaj Thing. Here we goo!

Going with a classic with Aphex Twin and a newer release.


I love Active Child. I admit it takes some warming up to, as it sounds like haunting church music at some points. However, you have to give the guy credit for making a harp sound right at home in an electronic tune. This is off of his forthcoming debut album, You Are All I See (coming out next month). Grab his Curtis Lane EP from 2010, simply amazing.


Baths Baths Baths! I have to thank my university for booking and introducing his wonderful ambient/experimental music to me.


I think this song speaks for itself, James Blake is a musical genius.


The one and only.


This a remix by Burial, a great one. Check out his other stuff, great 2-step music, and at times so overflowing with emotion (See UK or In McDonald's).


These last two artists are definitely more recognized for their indie and folk leanings, but these two tracks are electronic experimental heaven.

Sufjan Stevens is a lyrical and folk genius (could I use that word one more time?), but with his last album, The Age of Adz he drifted towards a more electronic perspective. This is an example, give it a chance and listen to it in full.


My favorite song from The Album Leaf, it just sounds right, love all the glitches and tweeks.


Hope you enjoy! Although, I have to say these might be even better in an altered state, just sayin'.

UPDATE: Oh dear god, I forgot to the mighty Flying Lotus on here. Don't know how I did it, but I did. I guess if you've heard of any of the above though, you probably already love Flying Lotus, if not, go here and educate yoself.

Cheers!


~MAR