Search - Jeff Mills :: Metropolis

The perfect marriage of sci-fi and techno

The Blue Raja | MD, USA | 01/13/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mills' productions since the beginning of the 21st century have broken the boundaries of the limiting title "DJ," and have given rise to a respected, full-fledged electronic score composer. I never knew much of this legendary DJ from years before, yet he certainly is a talented artist worthy of the ranks of other great experimental musicians such as Danny Elfman. I only make that comparison because Elfman came from a rock band (Oingo Boingo) then hit Hollywood with film score compositions that have put him up in the blockbuster movie ranks along with other giants such as John Williams. Jeff Mills is the Elfman of techno. Leaving the dance clubs in their smoke, Mills has transformed his skills to a theatrical level of electronic music with stunning success.



"Metropolis"... whether you want to tie Mills' score to the original film or not doesn't matter. What we have on the surface are dreary, cold, and repetitive loops... yet deep inside are huge landscapes painted with Mills' imagination and craft. His use of electronic sounds is more lifelike and warm than you can imagine. It is the perfect marriage of sci-fi and techno. A robot becoming human is a classic sci-fi theme, and this composition demonstrates how metallic, synthetic sounds can indeed produce emotion and stimulate mental images and thoughts.



Mills' use of audible space is astounding; tight dry enveloped synth loops in the foreground, distant haunting pads in the back, and punchy hi-hats pierce through the middle. Then the synth loop begins to drift and echo, as another loop slowly creeps in to take its place. I even love the imperfections of the analog hisses and buzzing (quite possibly intentional) that add an extra edge to the works. Most chilling is track 9, "Transformation B (Rotwang's Revenge)"... as if a factory steel press is pulsing and grinding towards you, and the only order to the feared result is the reliable static beat and tech click tracks. "Metropolis" is dark (as it should be) yet playful at times as if there is a conflict between machines and humanity.



After subscribing to Mills' "Metropolis," I ventured further into his library of recent achievements (THREE AGES, THE ART OF CONNECTING, THE OTHER DAY, TIME MACHINE, PURPOSEMAKER, ACTUAL, CONTACT SPECIAL, and MEDIUM to name a few). All these releases share a similar approach; yet still have their own unique personalities. If you've heard any of the releases I've mentioned and have not picked up "Metropolis," wait no more, as this is my favorite release among all of them (next to THE OTHER DAY).



Just as any artist, there are those tracks here and there that I don't care for and I skip over (usually mellow ones without percussion, or transitional 'fillers' if you will), but the strengths by far justify the purchase."

Within societies mindset, there lays thought yet to be found

Daniel | W.A, Australia | 01/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another exceptional release by Jeff Mills. Metropolis is an album which truly captures the essential aspects of Fritz Lang's masterpiece. From the intoxicatingly beautiful melodies of " New beginning " and " Landscape : utopian dream " to the haunting ambience of " They who lay beneath ", Metropolis is an album of intense enjoyment. Thought provoking and intriguing, this album is sure to tickle the fancy of any respectful of the genre of free thinking empirical sound. Obtain it before it is lost within the unstoppable progress of our metropoliptic society..."