Artifakts

Amazon.com
In the circuitous notes that accompany this release, Canadian producer Richie Hawtin attempts to explain why Artifakts (BC) should be viewed as his third Plastikman album rather than what is in reality his fourth. Instead of pondering the details, suffice it to say he regards this release as the proper close of a trilogy that started with 1993's Sheet One, continued with 1994's Musik, and got diverted by 1998's Consumed. Musically, it makes perfect sense. Artifakts (BC) picks up on the elementary bass and beat soundscapes that earmarked the debut. Once again, Hawtin strips away any trace of melody or orchestration from his songs, allowing them to form out of the rudimentary rhythm patterns and his own cool indifference. Rarely has such excessive self-indulgence sounded so mesmerizing. --Aidin Vaziri

URB
[Richie] Hawtin again proves that he's not only prolific but also still has a feel for consistently churning out floating, acidic melodies and pulling the listener, dancer, wanderer or dreamer into his own mechanical existence.

Artifakts

Artifakts,Plastikman,Novamute,Acid Techno,Ambient Techno,Dance Music,Detroit Techno,Electronica,Experimental Techno,Minimal Techno,Pop,Popular Music,Techno

Average customer rating: Hawtin loves his "K" and I don't mean Ketamine Laid back Plastikman at the top of his game *presses Repeat-button* Working the less is more theory very nicely!

Artifakts Plastikman Manufacturer: Mute U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music IDM | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Techno-House | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music IDM | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Musik Consumed Recycled Plastik Sheet One Closer ASIN: B00000DFTU Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

1. Korridor
2. Psyk
3. Pakard
4. Hypokondriak
5. Rekall
6. Skizofrenik
7. Are Friends Elektrik?

Amazon.com

In the circuitous notes that accompany this release, Canadian producer Richie Hawtin attempts to explain why Artifakts (BC) should be viewed as his third Plastikman album rather than what is in reality his fourth. Instead of pondering the details, suffice it to say he regards this release as the proper close of a trilogy that started with 1993's Sheet One, continued with 1994's Musik, and got diverted by 1998's Consumed. Musically, it makes perfect sense. Artifakts (BC) picks up on the elementary bass and beat soundscapes that earmarked the debut. Once again, Hawtin strips away any trace of melody or orchestration from his songs, allowing them to form out of the rudimentary rhythm patterns and his own cool indifference. Rarely has such excessive self-indulgence sounded so mesmerizing. --Aidin Vaziri

Customer Reviews:

Hawtin loves his "K" and I don't mean Ketamine.......2007-04-25

Well, Richie Hawtin did it again. He further pushed the boundries of what "minimal" can mean and still be called music.

Taking the idea behind "Sheet One" and bringing a step further into complete isolation, "Artifakts" takes all the elements of the music and strips it down until the bare minimum is there; basslines, sparse beats, acid (!!!); and on top of it all, lilting synth lines that float over the soundscape.

It opens with "Korridor", which is a piece of minimal ambience that sounds wide open and claustrophobically small at the same time; "hypokondriak" is a minimal drum excercise a la "sickness", and songs like "Pakard", "psyk", and "rekall" bring the acid full force. For fans of, well, anything, this album is worth a listen or 1,000...trust me, it takes a while for all of it to sink in. BRILLIANT release and highly underrated if you ask me.

Laid back.......2004-05-16

This whole album is nothing but undertones. This album is very quiet (if you listen to it you'll understand). It is not %100 ambient. I wouldn't even know how to describe it because I have heard nothing like it other than his other album, Consumed (although a little quieter). I listen to this when I want some background noise, ie sleeping and working.

I hope my brief review didn't sound negative, because I do like this album.

Plastikman at the top of his game.......2003-10-07

Simply put...if you like electronic music that defines a genre...then pick this up. I disagree with a lot of the reviewers on this piece. If you listen to the first three tracks only for eternity...it's worth the price. There are some interesting pieces from tracks 4-7...but they are nothing compared to the conceptual slowmotion groove apocalypse that is set by the first three tracks. Korridor...although beatless...sets up Psyk, an all time speaker crusher which melts into the ultra-chill Packard. [Which you must bow to the sheer largesse of instantly.] Total preludes to the entire "Consumed" Record from a conceptual standpoint. Which I would recommend any interested party pick up as well. Minimalism at it's best. Artifakts B.C. is what good electronic music should be...timeless. [In an age where gear upgrades occur on a daily basis and the hybrids of style have already created endless new classifications.] This one will never be lost. It defines...it delivers. It would do so if it only had the the first 3 tracks. It get's 4 stars based on those tracks alone.

*presses Repeat-button*.......2001-12-07

First came Sheet One (1993) with the first sounds and beats ever produced by Richie Hawtin (Plastikman). Then came Musik (1994), which made electronic music a new thing and feeling. Shortly after, Richie planned his third album, Klinik, but after his world tour, he dropped it. In 1998 came Consumed, and only about a month after, Artifakts came.

Artifakts contains some tracks from Klinik, and the others like Are Friends Electrik? and Hypokondriak. Richie wanted this album to be his third album, since it has another old sound than Consumed. Korridor is just a non-beat-track with no really concept. Just a sound repeating over and over again. Psyk is much better; starts with a kick and then moves on with cymbals, snares and much more, until a synthesizer is repeated and repeated, but actually it sounds good. Dong, dong, dong, dong...that is actually what Pakard sounds like. Over 12+ minutes, it repeats and repeats the same sounds, when a kinda siren playing in the background. I think, it's kinda boring, but it's sounds good in the end. H Y P O K O N D R I A K is OK, but it's a little annoying, when you hear it many times (especially when they're after each other), and that's why this is my hate-track on Artifakts. So......Rekall is very nice made. I like the synthesizers used in this track, and the beats are perfect. Skizofrenik is also good - enough. It's an OK beat, but it's not the best. Are Friends Elektrik? is really good, just as good as Psyk. Then it goes with Lodgikal Nonsense, just a 2:17-track, but it's really funny! I laughed, when I heard it. Just letting Richie spin the normal conversations into funny talk!

Artifakts is an okay album, though it could be a little better. But as the ending of the trilogy with Sheet One and Musik, it's really good. Sheet One does the movement and trips, Musik goes into funkier beats and melodies, and when we get to Artifakts, it's a flashback to Sheet One and the long endless ambient style. My tip is to buy this one before Consumed, to get the real feeling, that Richie is getting better on the way. Anyway, it's a nice album. *presses Repeat-button* :-/

Working the less is more theory very nicely!.......2001-11-14

It seems like even when I don't think i'm in the mood to hear something off this album, it only takes me about 1 minute of listening before it takes me back into it's zone. It's nice to see people alive in electronic music nowadays that realize the importance of techniques like what Hawtin is using in his work.

Average customer rating:

Artifakts II Artifakt ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000BTP44M Release Date: 2006-08-01

Average customer rating:

Artifakts ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000ARD6XG Release Date: 2006-08-01

Average customer rating:

Artifakts (+ Bonus Tracks) Plastikman Manufacturer: Minus ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music IDM | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00000JA73 Release Date: 1998-11-26

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring Bonus Tracks.

Average customer rating:

Artifakts Plastikman ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Minimal Techno | Techno | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music IDM | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000GUSL

Tracks:

1. Korridor
2. Psyk
3. Pakard
4. Hypokondriak
5. Psykik
6. Rekall
7. Skizfrenik
8. Are Friends Electrik?

Album Description

Japanese edition of 1998 album with 'Psykik' added as anundisclosed bonus track. Eight tracks total, also includinga cover of Gary Numan's 'Are Friends Electrik?'. Gatefolddigipak. A Sony Music Entertainment Japan release.

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