Search - Speedy J :: Loudboxer

Speedy J is the Techno Master

Thomas Hicks | Vancouver, BC, Canada | 08/29/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I find Speedy J writes two kinds of music: unbelievablly good techno, Richie Hawtin style, and unlistenable music. Loudboxer is absolutely unbelievably good techno. The music is unrelenting, frenetic and catchy. If you like hard, fast music this is it. The tracks run into each other like you are listening to a techno set. My only complaint is that the CD is too short."

A phenomenal album of hard, aggressive, unadorned techno

Steward Willons | Illinois | 07/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It seems that most of the new techno coming out is very minimalist, as is evidenced by the popularity of labels like BPitch Control and Kompakt. I do love that stuff, but it's also nice to know that there are artists still doing straight-up, hardcore techno with as much kinetic energy as anything from 80s Detroit. Speedy J albums seem to vary from experimental IDM to acid house to ambient, and of course, techno. Although I think "A Shocking Hobby" is his best album overall, "Loudboxer" is very strong and will not disappoint.



Over the course of 15 continuously mixed tracks, we hear some of the most raw, relentless, and totally nasty techno ever recorded. Things start of at a somewhat relaxed pace with "Reenter", but by the time "Krekc" rolls around, it's like getting pounded in the head with a jackhammer. I realize this is not what everyone wants from music, but when it comes to techno, the powerful stuff has a lot of appeal.



Because of the repetitive nature of the music and the fact that all the tracks lead into the next rather seamlessly, the album feels more like an extended composition than a series of 15 tracks to listen to in isolation. A few are memorable on their own such as "Krekc", "Krikc", and "Cement", but it all starts to blend together unless you're really paying attention to the track counter on your CD player.



The album breaks down into two parts. The first half is slower and less frantic, while the second half is absolutely manic. Track seven ("Inter Zil") serves as a beatless transition where Speedy talks about music as shapes in his mind. The tracks are intricate and crammed full of strange sounds. It's sort of the opposite of someone like Richie Hawtin who will take, say, five sounds and really explore them over the course of a ten-minute track. Here, Speedy J will take 100 sounds and layer them together in the span of five minutes. They actually compliment each other nicely, for all you mix tape fans.



I'd put this album in my top ten techno albums of all time. It's not easy listening, but it is fun and it WILL make you dance. I recommend this to fans of hard techno, Detroit techno, and listeners who enjoy repetitive, but rewarding electronic music."