Search - Negative Format :: Moving Past the Boundaries

Transcending Trance - IDM - Glitch - Breakbeat and EBM

Miles Davis | Fairfield, OH | 11/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Coming off the success of "Cipher Method", which was a thorough exploration of different aspects of trance and its relation to electro, "Moving Past The Boundaries" marks a bold new era for Negative Format.

Firstly, the trance inclination of the recent past have been muted in favor of an amalgamation of electro, IDM, glitch, and breakbeat.

Secondly, he invited a vocalist, Rashree Matson, to join him on a few of the tracks. She really shines on the track "Sustain" which has a bit of a Twin Peaks vibe to it.

Negative Format is normally a solo project, so the inclusion of Rashree's vocals definitely added a new element to the music that obviously never existed before.

Thirdly, Alex went with Metropolis Records this time around, which should bring Negative Format some new listeners who are not familiar with his music.

What is also successful about this CD is that it possesses both a wave of energy perfect for the dance floor (check out the tracks "Translucent," "Echo Chamber," and "Momentum") and the detailed compositional technique suitable for headphones.

Quite simply, this is a great CD from an artist that has consistently followed his own path"

"I've lost my inner focus....."

Bert Rinderle | L.A., CA United States | 10/13/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Alex Matheu presents his latest effort as Negative Format - the paradoxically titled Moving Past the Boundaries. NF reached a definite pinnacle with 2002's electrifying Cipher Method, and the project seemed poised to reach new ground. However, despite its progressive title, Moving Past the Boundaries is a disappointing retread of themes Matheu's better explored already.



While Cipher Method didn't really do anything new - it stuck to NF's basic electro/EBM/trance formula and familiar lyrical themes of alienation bred by technology - Matheu created a brooding sense of wonder with his virtual instruments, with sequences and synths seeming to wander within the parameters he instilled, taking the listener on a search for answers. While Moving Past the Boundaries has moments that continue this inspiration (the marvelous instrumental "Momentum" and the opening track "Phase In"), most of the album seems lost among the machines. "Translucent" seems like it's trying too hard, and "Spectral Analysis" is a puzzling track that sounds incomplete. The nine-minute closing ambient piece "Out of Phase" starts promisingly, but disintegrates into aimlessness. "Probe v2.4" is an inferior remix of the wonderful "Probe", originally released by the label ArtOfFact on their disc UTurn 1 (split between NF and German technoists Massiv in Mensch).



The album's production is fantastic, but the music itself seems a bit forced and mechanical, a far cry from the exhilirating programming of Cipher Method. The addition of undistorted female vocals, courtesy of Rashree Matson, help add a welcome personal touch, but she's present on only three of the songs ("Sustain", "Centralized", and "Heterodox"). Matheu's solo tracks don't catch the listener nearly as well as Rashree's...or the instrumentals, for that matter. And, at over 70 minutes, the album's simply too long and repetitive.



As Alex chants on the track "Focus", it seems like he's lost some of his focus and vision - hopefully only temporarily! Fans of Negative Format may enjoy moments of Moving Past the Boundaries, but if you've heard Cipher Method, there's sadly little here to capture you. Track down the excellent UTurn 1 if you haven't already, which is a much better example of Negative Format at its best."