Vertigo by Optical Frameworks is a quiet Dub Techno record that gives me the strangest feeling that it's been in my collection for 20 years. I don't know why I get this sense of familiarity and nostalgia when I play it; this isn't something I've experienced before. I love this strange sense it gives me every time I hear it. This is the work of one Martin Dlabaja, whose artist page lists the Czech Republic as his place of origin.
The sound of the album includes some Dark Ambient mixed in with varying amounts from track to track, resulting in a quiet, thoughtful, foggy sort of atmosphere. The opener, "I Will Wait for You", is beatless, with a few string instruments on top of what sounds like road noise with a lot of overlaid static. The slow-moving brooding of this track sets the tone for the rest of the album.
"B52 Rebuff" brings in a beat, though it's not super-heavy. A few quiet overheard vocal samples mill around in the background. In usual Dub Techno fashion, this is not a melodic track, even though it does have a few synth lines running around in it. As a side note, it sounds like there's a recording error at the beginning of it. I asked the label about this, and they replied that the artist says this is intentional. Another album from this artist is listed as "Optical Framework – Aether Blueprints". I asked if the missing "s" on the artist's name was a mistake, and again they replied that the artist says this is intentional. Having listened to 4 full Optical Frameworks albums, I'm guessing this is some sort of statement about his artistic style. There are a lot of field recordings in his work, and I think he wants us to sense a certain amount of the accidental in the experience.
The following darkness of "Co Du" is the quietest moment in the collection, which leads into "Vertigo", the most upbeat track. This was the first track I head from this album, and it made an immediate impression on me. The softness of the beat, the subtle treatment of the bass notes, and the swirling static around the lead synth lines combine to make one of the most interesting soundscapes I've heard. This and "B52 Rebuff" are my favorites on the album, but this isn't to say anything else on it is weak.
One of my minor complaints is that "Lo-Field Vault Research" is a bit too short. There's something about the harmonics on the pulsing drone in this that I really like. I'd like another minute or two to enjoy this!
"Minimal Session" gives us a pleasant interlude before diving into "Nyares", the longest track. A swirling mix of static and heavy chords over a slow but menacing beat gives us a strong foreboding sense of unease. Closing up shop is "Subway Tears", a melancholy but vaguely satisfied-sounding beatless track.
One of the great perils of composing Dub Techno is falling into a rut and having everything turn out sounding the same. It's a minimal style without tons of elements in a single track, but when handled as deftly as Martin does, it's capable of great emotional expression. If you're interested in his work, I recommend starting with Vertigo, then moving to Little Piece of Perseverance. I haven't heard all of his releases, but my impression is that as you move from those two into the rest of his catalog, you'll find more Dark Ambient influence. I like Dark Ambient, but it's harder to appreciate for the uninitiated than Dub Techno, so be warned.
The sound of the album includes some Dark Ambient mixed in with varying amounts from track to track, resulting in a quiet, thoughtful, foggy sort of atmosphere. The opener, "I Will Wait for You", is beatless, with a few string instruments on top of what sounds like road noise with a lot of overlaid static. The slow-moving brooding of this track sets the tone for the rest of the album.
"B52 Rebuff" brings in a beat, though it's not super-heavy. A few quiet overheard vocal samples mill around in the background. In usual Dub Techno fashion, this is not a melodic track, even though it does have a few synth lines running around in it. As a side note, it sounds like there's a recording error at the beginning of it. I asked the label about this, and they replied that the artist says this is intentional. Another album from this artist is listed as "Optical Framework – Aether Blueprints". I asked if the missing "s" on the artist's name was a mistake, and again they replied that the artist says this is intentional. Having listened to 4 full Optical Frameworks albums, I'm guessing this is some sort of statement about his artistic style. There are a lot of field recordings in his work, and I think he wants us to sense a certain amount of the accidental in the experience.
The following darkness of "Co Du" is the quietest moment in the collection, which leads into "Vertigo", the most upbeat track. This was the first track I head from this album, and it made an immediate impression on me. The softness of the beat, the subtle treatment of the bass notes, and the swirling static around the lead synth lines combine to make one of the most interesting soundscapes I've heard. This and "B52 Rebuff" are my favorites on the album, but this isn't to say anything else on it is weak.
One of my minor complaints is that "Lo-Field Vault Research" is a bit too short. There's something about the harmonics on the pulsing drone in this that I really like. I'd like another minute or two to enjoy this!
"Minimal Session" gives us a pleasant interlude before diving into "Nyares", the longest track. A swirling mix of static and heavy chords over a slow but menacing beat gives us a strong foreboding sense of unease. Closing up shop is "Subway Tears", a melancholy but vaguely satisfied-sounding beatless track.
One of the great perils of composing Dub Techno is falling into a rut and having everything turn out sounding the same. It's a minimal style without tons of elements in a single track, but when handled as deftly as Martin does, it's capable of great emotional expression. If you're interested in his work, I recommend starting with Vertigo, then moving to Little Piece of Perseverance. I haven't heard all of his releases, but my impression is that as you move from those two into the rest of his catalog, you'll find more Dark Ambient influence. I like Dark Ambient, but it's harder to appreciate for the uninitiated than Dub Techno, so be warned.
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