Genius. Anstam - Гениальный музыкант

Listening to Anstam's Stones and Woods (50 Weapons) followed by Dino Sabatini's Shaman's Paths (Prologue) really got me thinking about the both the complaints and achievements about modern techno.
First off, I should state that I am incredibly biased. I definitely prefer the Shaman's Paths album vastly over Stones and Woods. And I want to mention that I had not heard work from either of these artists before. But I noticed that people tend to have similar types of complaints/praises for these albums. People who prefer their music more hook/song based are going to lean towards Anstam's efforts. People who prefer a more dubbed out, spacey approach to music will like Sabatini. Both albums are immaculately produced. Both albums have a remarkable willingness to take on a number of musical aspects through the course of the project from near beatless melodic interludes to full on techno bangers. And I believe most people would call both albums techno.
And yet, this is where the similarity seems to end. Personally, I enjoy both, but if I had to choose 1, it would be Sabatini. But that has less to do with Anstam's skill than it does with my overall preference for a certain sound within the music.
And that leads me to note that with the incredibly diverse group of talented producers available now combined with the history (both personal and general) of techno will have a far greater influence on how someone receives a work than any comparison could possibly have. That is whether a review is 3 or 5 seems to have very little meaning unless you have some personal connection to the reviewer. I don't know Paul Clarke by his reviews. (Although, I do sometimes wonder if the person writing the reviews is even the same as the one writing the score. His choice of 'much more Joseph Conrad than Joe Clausell' is inspired writing. Personally, after reading his review, I definitely want to hear the album regardless of the number score.)
Ironically, human nature wants us to boil things down to these simplicities. We want to know, 'Is an album good or bad?' 'Is it one of the best, one of the worst, or somewhere in between?' But we live in a world of relativity... go beyond...

mmmhhh... i think i've missed the memo that the next cool thing is to collectively hate on ANSTAM.

what did he do to you, ray?

'Morning Shiver Down the Black Wood River' is one of the best tracks ever made in 2012. at least 3 was fair.

Despite the mediocre reviews this album has received, I really, really like it. I guess you could call it a grower, but do not let these reviews keep you from listening if your on the fence about this one. One of my favorites recently. Keep up the good work Anstam!

I think 3 would be fair but such a disappointment after dispel dances that blew my fucking head off

It's not revolutionary or not necessarily new, but i think a 3 would be fair as well. It makes up with a few great songs like the opening track, my dreams are made of steam, and handsome dances the dance

i found the majority of this album a great listen, 2.5 is a way off review. 3.5 for me.

Shaman's Path is an incredibly mediocre album. There is nothing even remotely interesting about the music

People's standards these days...they'll lavish praise on a dime-a-dozen dub techno albums

Thanks for the read. My post actually came prior to this review; I actually was surprised to see such a poor review for Anstam. But I can see why the reviewer leaned this way.

Big fan of Anstam, thought this album would grow on me and maybe it still will? But as of yet I'm not convinced.