Looper began as the side project of Belle & Sebastian bassist Stuart David. Now he's doing the quirky techno gig full-time, and the proof is in Looper's strong sophomore release, The Geometrid. Owing a great deal to th... more »e influence of armchair techno geeks such as Land of the Loops and Buckminster Fuzeboard, David's bouncy tracks aren't crafted for dance-floor action. Instead, the grooves become internally focused and never too heavy, never lacking a kernel of intrigue. "Modem Song" builds its thrust around a computer and a carrier signal, perhaps becoming the first call and response number for the binary set. "Uncle Ray" and "These Things" are more typical Looper, laid back and springtime fresh. Stuart's wife, Karn, sings backup, lifting songs such as "Tomorrow's World" into nitrous clouds. The Geometrid may be light, but its chipper disposition turns introverted techno into smart pop. --Jason Josephes« less
Looper began as the side project of Belle & Sebastian bassist Stuart David. Now he's doing the quirky techno gig full-time, and the proof is in Looper's strong sophomore release, The Geometrid. Owing a great deal to the influence of armchair techno geeks such as Land of the Loops and Buckminster Fuzeboard, David's bouncy tracks aren't crafted for dance-floor action. Instead, the grooves become internally focused and never too heavy, never lacking a kernel of intrigue. "Modem Song" builds its thrust around a computer and a carrier signal, perhaps becoming the first call and response number for the binary set. "Uncle Ray" and "These Things" are more typical Looper, laid back and springtime fresh. Stuart's wife, Karn, sings backup, lifting songs such as "Tomorrow's World" into nitrous clouds. The Geometrid may be light, but its chipper disposition turns introverted techno into smart pop. --Jason Josephes
"i was disappointed to see the low ratings for this album. i understand that this might be considered to be some derivative of belle and sebastian. so don't get confused : this is not belle and sebastian. this is looper! and to my knowledge they are not purporting to be b+s. this album is fun light playful experimental chill and maybe not danceable but definitely head-boppable. it's not techno and might be construed as electronica if only for the wide use of electronic devices to create the album. mondo '77 has an infectious beat that makes me put it on repeat every time i listen to the album + bugrain + money hair will make you want to boogie around a little bit. no, this is not the greatest album ever; no, this is not belle and sebastian; yes, it is good clean fun."
VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY, VERY GOOD
Dsc | New York City | 06/08/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love Belle and Sebastian. I loved Looper's first album. This one definitely rocks. The songs on here are more 'danceable' for lack of a better word. Let's just say there's more of a beat and there are more samples which I haven't heard too much of on "Up a Tree." Just listen to the first track and you can get a pretty good idea of how the rest of the album unfolds. Much of the album was written while the band was on tour so naturally, some of the songs are a bit short and the album as a whole ends up feeling like it's over in forty minutes. The album is simply amazing to sit and listen to. I wouldn't be too caught up in the other criticisms about it. If you like catchy melodies and sophisticated ironic sampling and lyrics and you enjoy the Belle and Sebastian sound, or even if you don't, this album is more than worth listening to. Heck, you may even find yourself not being able to leave the house for work in the morning without listening to it."
Hey man, This is a cool album
feppelsheimer | Milwaukee | 05/22/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a big Belle and Sebastian fan, and I love that whole Scottish Sound. I always thought that Stuart David's stuff was cool with B et S, (i.e. Mars and Elvis.) Just because it doesn't sound like "Fox in the Snow" or "A Summer Wasting" doesn't make it bad. I liked the disc and I liked the Modem Song and burn me at the stake but I liked it.Oh well, the thing is that you don't need substantial rhyme schemes when you have a good beat and I think that when you get this album it will definitely grow on you. (This album was a little harder to grasp than the better Up A Tree, but it's still good.) It's a nice CD to listen to whenever."
...Weird...and I like it...
the_mnomen@yahoo.com | CA, USA | 02/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album really is weird, but not the kind of weird that some may think I am reffering to as obscure, ambient "noise". This is the kind of weird that at times makes you wonder, and other times, makes you shiver, and still just fun to listen to the beats. Really cool. I especially like the songs, "Bug Rain", "My Robot", and "These things."I got into this band, Looper, after previously hearing the famous "Mondo 77" many tims in movies and commercials. Finally, after hearing it on Vanilla Sky, I HAD to find out the band's name. I looked up the Vanilla Sky soundtrack, and somehow, my first random choice on he racklisting was that familiar "Mondo 77" craziness. Since then, I am very thankful I decided to see Vanilla Sky, or else I wouldn't have been introduced to such a great blend of Electronic and beutiful beeps and lyrics. I highly reccomend those that are into ambient, electonic, pop, or just great music to check this out. If you want to be pursuaded fully, listen to "Bug Rain" off Napster, WinMX, or whatever. It will pursuade you, and there is much more where that comes from, each with their own basic theme."
The future of twee?
niles-j | St. Louis, MO | 06/25/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Stuart David's no longer a member of Belle and Sebastian, giving him more time to devote to Looper. This extra effort certainly shows on "The Geometrid." It's tighter, more diverse and song oriented than its predecessor. I never thought I'd say this about a Belle and Sebastian alumnus but with "Money Hair," he's written the party song of the summer and proven that Looper is more than a cutesy-pie novelty act. The musicianship is a lot more professional this time around, possibly because he's incorporated his touring band as full-time Loopers and their influence is felt on the sweet (but never sloppy) "On The Flipside". This is a record that shows that sweet, catchy pop need not be exclusive of rhythm."