Squarepusher
Just A Souvenir

Somehow I managed to review Just A Souvenir by listening to another CD. I could scarcely believe, and was certainly not impressed, by Squarepusher’s move into mid-tempo Scissor Sisters style house, but I couldn’t discount his status as maverick genius either. So, my review was cautiously critical. When I realised my error and started again, I couldn’t switch the gears of my mind to the ‘real’ Squarepusher album. Which is quite handy really, as it is as far away for the other (nameless) album as I could get. I don’t know much about Jazz, but I know that it is clearly an influence. The funk and broken beat elements are easier to identify, but that’s like saying I can taste onions and garlic in my Bouillabaisse. Essential ingredients, but part of a much bigger flavour. Like label mate Aphex Twin, if you have even a passing interest in electronic music, you cannot fail to be aware of both the talent, and the importance of maverick composers such as Squarepusher. This album apparently was inspired by a daydream of seeing a rock band play behind a huge illuminated coat hanger, working away at instruments that had the ability to shift time. When I read that, I have to admit I scoffed, and thought to myself that someone has been overindulging in horse drugs. It is, of course, a completely accurate description of how the album sounds.