Gus Gus create a multi-vibe stir with Polydistortion. At times as cold and icy as their frosty homeland (Iceland), at other times a rumbling volcano of pyrotechnic rhythms, the CD is a study in the dynamics of the electron... more »ic. Atmospheric without ever being boring, Gus Gus rely on soul-filled or breathy vocals to turn their compositions into some of the more interesting and accessible aural amalgamations ever committed to disc. "Believe" is a rhythmic juggernaut, while "Gun" is a moody study of beats and texture. "Why" is particularly stunning, a sparse torch song carried along by a Fender Rhodes-style piano line. More eclectic than electronica, Gus Gus make aural sculptures out of rhythm. --Steve Gdula« less
Gus Gus create a multi-vibe stir with Polydistortion. At times as cold and icy as their frosty homeland (Iceland), at other times a rumbling volcano of pyrotechnic rhythms, the CD is a study in the dynamics of the electronic. Atmospheric without ever being boring, Gus Gus rely on soul-filled or breathy vocals to turn their compositions into some of the more interesting and accessible aural amalgamations ever committed to disc. "Believe" is a rhythmic juggernaut, while "Gun" is a moody study of beats and texture. "Why" is particularly stunning, a sparse torch song carried along by a Fender Rhodes-style piano line. More eclectic than electronica, Gus Gus make aural sculptures out of rhythm. --Steve Gdula
"Having taken me the best part of 4 months searching to track this down, I apprehensively approached this, wondering if it could live up to the multiple 5 star reviews....but I should have had more faith, as `Gus Gus'' first studio album (and their best), is a astonishing piece of ambient Electronica / Downbeat indie rock...alternating beautifully between "Believe's" squelchy beats & funky-laden riffs, it sets the tone for the towering quality & variety of tracks on offer here. "Is Jesus Your Pal?" is the musical opposite to "Believe" with it's very minimal barely audible beats, with singer 'Siggi Kjartansson' musing gently to create a confident fragile sound. Everything points to a band bursting at the seams with innovative ideas, that they fully realise in this album & provided you find a copy, this album stands as a shining example to others in the field of experimental Electronica."
Still One of My All-Time Favorites
The Super-Trendy Counter-Culture Hi | Western Colorado | 08/16/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was 17 when this album came out, and I remember seeing the videos to "Polyseterday" and "Believe" on MTV's AMP way back in the day, and I remember I used to record that show every week in hopes that I would catch them.
Now almost 10 years later, this album still rocks my socks every time I hear it. A lot of people don't like this album, or GusGus in general for that matter, but GusGus's music (especially around this era) is right up my alley.
Spacy, yet totally butt-shaking. Icy and dubbed, yet so hot it's on fire.
My favorites on this album are Believe, Cold Breath '79, Why?, Remembrance and Polybackwards (the hidden track at the end). But all the songs are great."
ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICA CLASSIC...
D. WILBORN | Dallas, TX | 02/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE SEEN "PURPLE" AND "BELIEVE" ON COMPILATIONS FROM OAKENFOLD, SASHA, DIGWEED AND OTHERS? THIS IS WHERE IT ALL STARTED FOR MOST U.S. DANCE MUSIC FANS...I FINALLY PICKED UP THIS ALBUM, AND ITS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF MY COLLECTION, AS IT WILL BE FOR ANY SELF-RESPECTING CHILLOUT FAN...TIMELESS...ALSO, CHECK THE POWERFUL "REMEMBRANCE"...UP THE TEMPO A BIT, AND YOU HAVE THE PERFECT PEAK-TIME SET OPENER..."