Not Too Arty Arto
Sharon Daugherty | Denver | 06/15/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I like Arto. He's doing something that few other people do and for that alone he's worth a listen. Americans tend to be somewhat stupid when it comes to rhythm and so I am not sure just how big of an audience Arto will ever have. His first two solo records in this vein, "The Subtle Body" and "Mundo Civilizado," I find quite enjoyable. Light yet not mindless, funky yet not overpowering. Anyone familiar with the MPB (Popular Music of Brazil) of the '60s and '70s will like this. It's in the line of Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, Gal Costa, etc., but modernized. Sometimes, too, Brazilian music is a little too sweetened for my taste but I suppose that's the irony, since they've had some seriously repressive political climates there we haven't in America; our repression is more subtle. This remix album contains some cool disconnected stuff and evokes downtown NYC as much as it does Salvador or Sao Paulo. Some of it is a drag but there are some beautiful moments. Repetition is the point of this kind of thing so I won't complain about repetition except to repeat that repetition is the point of this kind of thing so why complain about repetition? It's good of its kind and sure beats the hell out of the Aphex Twin or most rap, if not Spring Heel Jack. Anyway, get "Mundo,"; it's Arto's masterpiece to date. The Ambitious Lovers records are good too, especially "Greed," and "Envy" is worth getting for "Let's Be Adult." Somehow, though, I don't expect Americans who think that Bruce Springsteen or Ry Cooder has rhythm will cotton to this. Too cosmopolitan by half but so what. At least it's not some damned folkie with his airs and his guitar. Arlo Guthrie is good too except when he sings."
Interesting stuff
Allan MacInnis | Vancouver | 02/25/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This isn't essential listening, but DJ Spooky, Sub Dub, DJ Olive, and DJ Soulslinger all do reasonably interesting stuff with Arto's material; if you're fans of their work, or interested in Arto's music, its a fun, engaging album. (And exactly what is this other reviewer talking about? Does he think these are remixes of Arlo Guthrie or something? The ARLO...???)"
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1