Search - Venetian Snares :: Higgins Ultra Low Track Glue

VS's exclusive tour of DnB

C. Sherwood | i am the ocean | 09/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's quite funny that another reviewer mentioned Aphex Twin's "Selected Ambient Works 85-92" as the title, "Higgins Ultra Low Track Glue Funk Hits 1972-2006" is an obvious mockery of that very title, and in years to come may be considered just as revolutionary as Aphex's former work. Those who condsider it so, will be wrong. This album is not at all about introducing something new. It continues Arron Funk's (VS's) earlier work of cutting and pasting samples to crate new beat expressions, (hence the glue,) but is meant for one express purpose. It is a direct challenge to everyone who has ever made or played drum and bass.



Each track spans a different style of DnB, and mimmics (mocks) a different producer. Venetian Snares goes song by song using all of the production tricks that other producers use to make their DnB tracks as badass/exciting as possible, and he does it better than they ever could. Then he proceeds to mash them to bejeezus and back. It's like he's saying "Ooh look I can make that better than you can! And now I can light it on fire and spit on your mom!"



This is a full on assult on the world of drum and bass. From the dance hall calls preformed by a female opera singer on "Dance Like You're Selling Nails" to the mock Panacea/Dj Scud stlye breakcore on "Cobra Commander" which just gets so out of control that it almost becomes too whitenoise for *ME*, (and i love noise,) he covers every every style of DnB that's worth a listen. He even *almost* one ups Squarepusher on his Go Plastic styled track "Deadman DJ." Finally Mr. Funk ends it up with three incredible tracks of his own creepy theatrically alligned style.



Incredible.

This man is an absolute monster in the world of contemporary music.

If you like DnB enough to know it has gone stagnant, or if you're just sick of the other Junglists being snobs, then this album is worth checking out."

Another future classic from da one called Aaron Funk...

Matthew Jaworski | Detroit, MI | 09/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Venetian Snares (A. Funk) impresses the hell out of me. The man has released approximately 7 albums in the last 2 years (what do you think about that 'Boards of Canada?'). And they all rock. Aaron Funk seemlessly incorporates wicked drum and bass, noise, free jazz, hardcore, and electro-acoustics in a wicked, rolling package. I love this record (I have the vinyl- ha ha!). It happens to be one of Venetian Snares most straight-up drum(drill) and bass releases. The programming is of course wicked, sonically aggressive, rythymic, and off the MFin' chain. Big props to Mike P. for Planet Mu- a label worth checking out (try Warpmart). Planet Mu is host to a diverse array of top notch electronic artists, inluding: Jega, Luke Vibert, Electric Company, Boards, Hellfish, Kid Spatula, Hrvatski, Doormouse, and Bit_Meddler. Now that is a wicked roster. Fight the Power!"

The most important electronic musician in quite some time.

C. Sherwood | 08/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those of you who are well acquainted with the contemporary electronic music scene have certainly heard the name Venetian Snares by now. If you haven't purchased something by VSnares yet, then you are doing yourself a great disservice. Hearing Venetian Snares for the first time, it reminded me of the first time I heard the 'Feed Me Weird Things', 'Selected Ambient Works Vol 1' or 'Chiastic Slide'; I was simply blow away. Before I proceed, I would like to caution the fans of dreamy atmospherics (Plaid, early Ae and Aphex's SAW) - you may not like this. This is aggressive, smart music that mixes equal parts wit, violence, humour and musicianship. His beats are a mix of jungle, hardcore and IDM. Impossible to describe. Impossible to resist. It all starts with "Dance Like You're Selling Nails" where we find Snares working with an opera singer who is singing all the classic jungle shout outs. She belts out "Rude boy" and "Junglist Massive" over production that can only be described as sublime. Manic junglist rhythms and a melody that can only make you smile.That said, things really don't get started until #4 "Make Ronnie Rocket" which is arguably the best track on this album. This is vintage Snares. The man at his best. The aggressive flow lifts your spirits - leaving you unable to catch your breath until the end of track #8 "Walmer Side". These five tracks are as good as anything you'll hear this year. The final two tracks are soothing and simply don't live up to the five previous. But still, this is a mindblowing release.I haven't been this excited about an artist in years. We've got another madman on our hands folks. Sit back and enjoy the ride."