Feelin SP-14 more so than the others on this release. They all definitely have their place though. Great tracks to keep a certain vibe goin for sure.

think this review is a little too harsh.

Max Bacharach stop being so angry. just cause you cant come up with an angle doesn't mean there's no story here.

SP-17 is huge.

www.dripandurgle.blogspot.com

Agreed. If this was by a more recognised name it would prob be a 5.. Killer EP imo

Not thinking he's angry, though there definitely seems to be some journalistic masturbation going on here.

Who knew 'headfuck' could have that funk! +4

Sorry to have caused offence folks. Last time I checked, giving a techno record a decent review was a pretty innocuous gesture. Obviously not. By way of explanation:

3/5 = 6/10, which in turn = "good", which is, roughly, what I think this record is. It could have been made by Rob Hood, Ben Klock, Donato Dozzy or whoever else and would have gotten the same score. The "angle" is simple: the EP is paradigmatic of the current "in vogue" sound in European techno (not a terribly controversial thing to say, surely?), but, IMHO, lacks a little by way of character (again, not a terribly controversial sentiment). Nevertheless, it's very well made, club-friendly techno fit for dark clubs and spun out dancers, and for that reason the verdict is positive.

Quite what's "harsh", "angry" or "masturbatory" about that is beyond me. I've actually been playing it out for the best part of two months (i.e. supporting it), and will continue to do so. But I reserve the right not to hand out 4+ scores to every solid record that comes out of the Berghain/Hard Wax/headfuck camp, as much as it gets up the noses of the scene's growing legions of fanboys.

(P.S. That was my 666th post, so don't fuck with it.)

This is an orgasm of darkness. Sp 17 and Sp 10 for sure.

when i wrote 'harsh' i was more referring to the actual score you gave it. although definitely not being higher than a 4, i think a 3 1/2 would have been justified, particularly when seeing it as 7/10.

even though i really enjoy the way the review is written (so props for that!), i think to base the argument around the boxes it does tick - intentionally or unintentionally - in order to point out its, well, generic attributes is a little pointless. it can pretty certainly be said that the producer probably didn't sit at home one day and thought 'today i'll make a techno 12" that picks up on all the trends" - producing doesn't work like that. just because he happens to have a mysterious alias and produces a certain sound, doesn't mean he's trying hard to create an image. sure, as you rightly pick up, the ep does follow certain characteristics, but maybe sp-x just felt inspired by berghain or maybe some record, and it ultimately influenced his sound, without him wanting to emulate it.

you're quite right in picking up that the 12" isn't 'quite there', but the review would have been far more informative and constructive if it had actually discussed the ep's musical shortcomings, rather than simply making an argument of aesthetics and trend.

i'm by no means a fanboy, but it does annoy me a little when critical writing actually misses its initial target - the music.

I'm going to have to agree with Max on this one; mostly. I try to imagine the intent behind the music when I listen to it. It doesn't matter if it's someone I have never heard of (i.e. SP-X) or someone I typically enjoy such as Mike Dehnert. I imagine, 'What was the intent when they sat down and made the track? Can I identify with that intent when I listen to it?' Well, I can only identify with the track 'SP-14' but still only partially. As for the other two tracks, generic in my opinion.

Reviews are a matter of opinion, not fact. I may have given it a score 3 1/2 as I find it just above average because I tend to think that a 1-5 scale (5 being the best) is more exemplary of an F-A scale (A being the best or A+ if you will). By that logic, a C+ is still a passing grade but no more than I think it deserves. And as much as I may like Mike Dehnert (and camp), I certainly don't buy every release of his/theirs but I do make a point of listening to them when I come across them. I will however, make a point of listening to more of SP-X's material because of said C+ though.

Funny review. Enjoyed reading it!
+ it's true what he said though...mutating line crackle is so hot right now...


P.S
these cuts would still do the business in a deeper set

GO SP-X .. GO !

Wicked_

I agree with you Max, this is a really nice EP..., could be a Ben Klock or Robert Hood.. mmh I am not sure, but this is not the important thing right now. It's a good one. It impresses people, (yes it does - even if I've heard a lot the last 15 years, for sure enough to may call it experience) , the record is not that conventional like you guys feel it.

Maybe many of you are playing and producing by themselves, right? Some of you for years... Do you think u know what your audience wants to hear from you? What people really like and expect? If this is so, music, as an creative act, should be dead and replaced by a constructing guide for do-it-yourself-mass-production..

Don't be that hard to a newcomer, who did a great job at all! We all know and love Carl Craig, Derrick May, Ben and Marcell Dettmann, but I wouldn’t say, this is an planet e, an o-ton or a Fachwerk - sry, even if some influences and details remind me on someone. Is that really bad?

Lay back and give the guy a chance to show, why he is special and unique being SP-X - a detail, speed, influence, bass line, kick..., structure and way how the arrangement grows. Let him a fair chance, to find out himself.

I really don't know that guy!! I am just nobody and ... (on the other side of dub- hah) - and in a strange way everyone. I am a convinced consumer of good music and I follow my own definition of it. I have also influences as a consumer. SP-X develops his own dynamic with this ep and has the chance to find himself on his way, if he didn’t yet.

There is no generally applicable answer to the question of what good music is. But so hardly critical.., so rashly in the statements – I dn’t know, if this is a good idea. The tracks are nice, I will play this EP, and I don’t think, it's bad, if some influences of other artists get transparent in it. He is talanted and he has music in his head. He will show with his next releases, who he is, how he feels music and which way of journey the people should expect, when they hear his name.

Look, when I listen to a record from Mike Dehnert for example, no matter if I ever heard it yet or not, I know it's him, every time!! Recognizing him under thousands of others - cause I love and know his music well and noone else sounds like Fachwerk, the secret substance which everybody needs.

At all - I think it's a pity losing time that way, let's listen to some good music, that's what I will do now. Cause it brings joy in my life, it really does.

Good luck and all the best for the future to SP-X.

adios, laNa oSTgut

i think this review is a bit silly. there are tons of records coming out these days and most of them sound the same, but it's always been the business in techno, house, drum & bass... they say it's the guy's first release then i must say it is incredible that he reaches to get all the right "ticks". imagine what he'll do in a few more release! i'd say promising! and nice ep

I think it's a nice EP too - hence the score. The fact that tons of releases that come out sound the same is, I'm afraid, of no significance. What one looks for in good house, techno, D&B, etc are the negligible differences that mark out what's good from what's merely generic. And sometimes the sizeable differences that make certain records great. Without this, the whole culture of dance music might as well go to hell.

I'll forgive this young dude from brussels for not coming up with something MAYBE more original since these tracks totally work more than just fine. a killer debut from a producer i'm expecting a lot from in the future. komisch on point here again, as usual. one of my fave labels at the mo. well done.

love it!

I love this release and can't wait for more SP-X. Wish I could find some more info behind the project.