Szenariodisk [EP]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
On Szenariodisk Markus Popp, a.k.a. Oval, feeds warm, almost organic sounds into his Oval process software and they emerge wholly changed as textural, distorted washes of drone, din, and crackle, accompanied by Popp's signature looped, skipping-disc click tracks. As usual, it's pretty astounding and mesmerizing stuff, sounding like a computer that's been fed far too much information and hence is sort of stoned. There are 11 tracks on this 25-minute EP, with the longer pieces tending to be more hypnotic and songlike and the shorter works tending toward bursts of pure, experimental noise that approach dirtier-sounding areas than those previously experienced by Oval. A few of the pieces are mind-boggling; track 7 is made up of overlapping waves and verges on an orchestral vastness that threatens to capsize the listener, especially if you play it really loud (which by all means you should). --Mike McGonigal

Szenariodisk,Oval,Thrill Jockey,Ambient Techno,Electronic,Electronica,Experimental Techno,Glitch,IDM,Indie Electronic,Pop,Post-Rock/Experimental,Rock

Szenariodisk [EP]

Tracks:

Episonik
1) =
Kardio V
2) =
Zentrik
3) =
Motif
4) =
Memo
5) =
Par

Amazon.com

On Szenariodisk Markus Popp, a.k.a. Oval, feeds warm, almost organic sounds into his Oval process software and they emerge wholly changed as textural, distorted washes of drone, din, and crackle, accompanied by Popp's signature looped, skipping-disc click tracks. As usual, it's pretty astounding and mesmerizing stuff, sounding like a computer that's been fed far too much information and hence is sort of stoned. There are 11 tracks on this 25-minute EP, with the longer pieces tending to be more hypnotic and songlike and the shorter works tending toward bursts of pure, experimental noise that approach dirtier-sounding areas than those previously experienced by Oval. A few of the pieces are mind-boggling; track 7 is made up of overlapping waves and verges on an orchestral vastness that threatens to capsize the listener, especially if you play it really loud (which by all means you should). --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

Oval's Best Work So Far.......2000-04-27

Szenario is perhaps Oval's most realized recording to date. If anything, it serves as a summary of the best elements of their previous releases, with the haunting digital coldness of "Systemich," the labrynith-structured surrealism of "Diskont" and the sensory-overloading tones of "Dok." It's also their most overwheling work, in terms of volume and "digital terrorism." On track#8, you can actually hear the digits of the sound crunching into fine ash!

As for the complaint that the tracks are too short, I believe their 1-3 minute lengths are just about right for the accessiblity of Oval's music, which cuts out the frequent avant-excess out of their work.

Overall, Szernario is perhaps the best,(and cheapest) place for neophytes to explore what is argubaly the psychedelica for the early 21st century.

or no stars, or 2 1/2...what does it matter?.......2000-01-12

This is sort of a digital version of Brian Eno style ambience. Pseudo-organic ambience that fills the background, hard to ignore, but not really at the forefront of your attention. Hard to grasp, even for the most non-mainstream listener, but very interesting, fascinating, at the very least in concept. Not at all like the spacey Pink Floyd type stuff often called "ambient", and not really like acid house. Aphex Twin's "Ambient Vol. 2" is probably the closest thing to compare to Oval. This CD would be a good starting point to this artist.

More clicks and pops.......2000-01-03

Markus Popp has certainly found his niche. Szenariodisk will do little to win over new fans but is likely to appeal to his already-devoted audience. It compiles the Aero Deck 12" and the Szenario 12" along with several short interludes of fuzzy warmth. It's entirely too short but makes available material previously only available on vinyl, and for that it's worth it.

Pop Music:

Pop Music

pop music

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