Squarepusher - Hard Normal Daddy

Warp Records

April 28th, 1997.

Squarepusher's mind-bending take on electronic music gives a whole new meaning to 'Warp' Records. Hard Normal Daddy's on edge, restless posture lactates energy from its being - take a sip from Squarepushers fountain of youth. Squarepusher's second studio album is packed with promiscuous dealings.

The jittery escapades in which the material travels on finds the recesses of the mind less ventured fervent with ideas. The dark corners of ones psyche tend to home malevolent and misaligned perspectives. Squarepusher returns from said recesses with an abundance of prospects. The next step is figuring out how to incorporate these ideas into music - Warp Records being the place in which these sorts of things are welcomed.

Hard Normal Daddy is such a fun and invigorating project. If you feel like you're in need of a swing in your step, Squarepusher's got you covered. The spontaneity of musical ideas on this record is bound to liven up any occasion. The idiosyncratic nature of the material lends itself to the anxious feelings that intrinsically come part and parcel with the experience of it. The frenetic pacing breathes through restless assaults of skittery drums and bobbing synths. The image of drum kits exuding plumes of smoke from their lack of rest comes to mind - hi-hats in constant motion, played within an inch of their life, begging for mercy. The poor things would get on their knees if they could. The jazz infused jitters make it a classy affair, albeit within an inch of insanity.

Ravers - the contemporary hippy.

Notable Tracks: Beep Street, Fat Controller

April 28th, 1997.