Trance Inducing, in the best kind of way...
Dickster | East Tennessee | 11/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fluxion's Vibrant Forms II is basically a continuation of the sounds and ideas presented on the first disc, Vibrant Forms (natch). I couldn't really explain just what makes the second chapter so much better than the first, but it really is. I've had this album for two weeks and haven't been able to pry it from my CD player. Unlike many electronic CDs of the miniamlist form, I am familiar with the separate pieces (though I don't actually know the titles). Instead of just putting this on and using it as sonic wallpaper, I find myself immersed in the slight variations that continually reveal themselves in Fluxion's rich tapestry of sound. About a year ago, I probably would have thought this wasn't really music, just drum machines, computers and samplers. But since then, my appreciation of this kind of music has grown tenfold, at least. I can't get enough of this stuff these days. It's as if I discovered an entirely new sonic language.Minimalist electronica is nothing like "songs," rather it's sounds and textures without the context of drama, tension and release or climax. And once you are familiar and comfortable with how to appreciate this kind of stuff, you might just love it. This is quite similar to much of the music released by the Mille Plateaux label. But it seems to have a slightly more organic feel than some of the more glitch oritnted stuff classified as "digital processing." Vibrant Forms II is indeed vibrant, and lulls the listner into a spinning womb of sound. This album is best for times of quiet introspection, but if you use it as a soundtrack for sleep, you'll be missing out on some interesting sounds. Instead, use the zen approach and listen to this album while fully awake and focused. There's a lot more going on in Vibrant Forms II than you might think."
Fantastic Minimalism
Grado | Stockholm Sweden | 11/06/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Fluxion shows the way. With Deeeep Bass and minimal beats and clicks he manage to make minimal techno just as it should be.
If you are into "Basic Channels" "Metalbox" and Maurizio's "Maurizio" album this CD is made for you.
It's hard to explain why this CD is so good... The style is raw, heavy and very repetetive. When I first heard it, I just thought Fluxion had stolen Basic Channels sound and just changed it a little without doing anything new. But that's wrong! After have heard this CD for one month I can't live without it. This is heavy stuff, actually the most serious heavy minimal tech I've heard for years. It has everything a minimal techno CD should have. No wonder when it's from the Chain Reaction label.
The angry naughty bass that pumps through the whole album, the wonderful dub-delays and chords.. The submarine-"pings", The minimal hi-hat... The naughty industry/machine-sounds, All together mixed in a wonderful minimal-tech cocktail. It's so beatiful.. Enjoy!"
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1