Search - Dr Rockit :: Music of Sound

What's In A Name? or.. This Title Says More Than You'd Think

N. Satterfield | MY-AMI, Florida, usa, EARTH | 01/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Taking source material from anything and everything within a composer's grasp sounds more like the basis for music concrete' than the impetus for a "electronic" album, but that is just what the Doctor ordered. "Dr. Rockit", one of the many monikers for Matthew Herbert is just about as revealing as the title of this album. What more can you say about a modern composer who has drawn up a "contract" for himself to follow in order to perform his craft? The PCCOM or Personal Contract for the Composition Of Music (Incorporating the Manifesto of Mistakes) includes clauses such as, "The use of sounds that exist already is not allowed." and, "The sampling of other people's music is strictly forbidden.". However, my personal favorite is, "The inclusion, development, propagation, existence, replication, acknowledgement, rights, patterns and beauty of what are commonly known as accidents, is encouraged. Furthermore, they have equal rights within the composition as deliberate, conscious, or premeditated compositional actions or decisions.". You may ask, "Is there a method to all of this madness?", well it all boils down to Herbert's personal commitment to the purpose, necessity, and desire to be original at all times.
Originally released in 1996, "The Music of Sound" marks a pivotal moment in Herbert's life where his music becomes distinctively more of personal diary of his life. Hastings Beach, a locale from his childhood appears in "The Walk", while "Song Without Italian Words" includes bits recorded in Florence where he stayed while on tour. Although difficult to classify, "The Music of Sound" will have you begging for more and hearing something new with each listen. (This is especially true listening on headphones.) Whether you're into Techno, Electro, Trip-Hop, IDM, Downtempo, Experimental, Etc you'll have a deep appreciation for what the good doctor can do with sound. Like much of Matthew Herbert's work, "The Music of Sound" is underappriciated by American audiences who generally fall for the "palpable schlep" radio tends to dish out so routinely. So, do yourself a favor, venture out of the ordinary (WAY OUT), and EXPERIENCE "The Music of Sound".
**As a note of warning to listeners longing for more of Matthew Herbert's music in the vein of "Bodily Functions" this album may take some getting used to. It is a great example of the genesis of Herbert's work and an essential for those wanting more insight into the world of a true MUSICAL GENIUS.**"

Disappointing

N. Satterfield | 03/01/2002

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I was very disappointed by the songs in this cd. I heard of "Dr Rockit" because of the song "Cafe de flore" which for my taste is superb, but the songs in this cd didn't work for me at all, could heve been be very "trendy" by the time it was released, but it so dull and boring, and there's no melody: just a bunch of sounds put together to create "songs"???. Anyway, check instead the new release under the name of "HERBERT" "Body fluids", it is much, much better."