Secede Bye Bye Gridlock Traffic

  full reviewuser ratings (8) 
Tracklist:
1 Ballroom Arcade
2 Big Day Out
3 Hotel 4:39
4 Crave & Fall
5 Depart & Arrive
6 Unbound
7 Now I Can Weave Magic Spells
8 Greetings Twinsunian
9 Return To Island CX
10 Outran
11 Bye Bye Gridlock Traffic
12 Say I Said So
13 Age Tandems


Release Date: 2003

user rating
4.4
superb
Chart.
other reviews
Jonny Hunter (4.5)
Life distilled in music form....

related

 Tryshasla

  On 12 Lists

5.0
classic
HSThomas USER (30 Reviews)

November 13th, 2011 | 17 replies | 2,119 views

2 of 2 thought this review was well written

It’s one thing to be an electronic musician, after all the next guy can try and be the next Richard D. James with just a laptop and a phone, but to be a electronic artist it takes so much more; the precise understanding of sound, placement and all the intricacies that come part and parcel. That is what differentiates Lennard van der Last aka Secede from so many of his trend-hopping contemporaries, he understands music and it’s composition with minuet precision and there is no greater demonstration of this than on Bye Bye Gridlock Traffic.

Perhaps the best demonstration of this is shown in how van der Last manages to be able to siphon and focus so many influences into his work without a single one of them overtaking the other. The sound is colourful and warm but it never descends into Rorschach madness due to van der Last’s careful choice of instrument and use of layering. The incredible “Outran” serves as the best example, different instruments build upon each other in harmonious succession to form an organic structure that constantly rises and falls without a single misstep. It’s a powerful and articulate representation of the illicit fantasies of a child’s fractured mind that simultaneously grasps at the stars while reaching into a very personal Hell and stands as a testament to van der Last’s skill as a composer. It thankfully is a skill that is utilised throughout the entire album. Not one song or a part of a song feels out of place upon this album, everything flows together to a form a disturbing but deeply human story. It’s a de Sardian danse macabre, a poignant look into a child’s madness and stands as Secede’s true masterpiece.

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Comments:Add a Comment 
Oathbreaker
November 13th 2011



1369 Comments


I like seeing him get some love here.

Digging: Cremation Lily - Cremation Lily

Digging: Cremation Lily - Cremation Lily

BaselineOOO
November 13th 2011



4611 Comments


Richard D. James is the worst thing that ever happened to electronic music.

EDIT: nvm missread, I agree, anyone can make better music than that Aphex Twin poser.

StrangerofSorts
November 13th 2011



1537 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Okay, you've convinced me, I'll give this a listen.

Also, ^lol^

StrangerofSorts
November 13th 2011



1537 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

I'm 4 songs in and so far it's been fucking gorgeous. Gonna be listening to this for a while, cheers!

BaselineOOO
November 13th 2011



4611 Comments


Amazing album, it's a shame I haven't heard about it until now. Didn't liked his other albums that much.

WashboardSuds
November 13th 2011



3599 Comments


"Richard D. James is the worst thing that ever happened to electronic music."

huh?

good review, Secede is pretty cool

Digging: Lone - Galaxy Garden

Digging: Lone - Galaxy Garden

Deviant.
Staff Reviewer
November 13th 2011



24705 Comments


Don't question what baseline says

Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin

Digging: Amon Tobin - Amon Tobin

Yotimi
November 13th 2011



5207 Comments

Album Rating: 4

Still think Tryshasla is his masterpiece but I love this too

Digging: John Talabot - Fin

Digging: John Talabot - Fin

sifFlammable
November 13th 2011



2669 Comments


tryshasla is just so much more elegant

Deviant.
Staff Reviewer
November 13th 2011



24705 Comments


This is the best thing he's done

Yotimi
November 13th 2011



5207 Comments

Album Rating: 4

nuh uh

Deviant.
Staff Reviewer
November 13th 2011



24705 Comments


Yah huh

Yotimi
November 13th 2011



5207 Comments

Album Rating: 4

I do love the Back to the Future sample

Gyromania
November 14th 2011



9320 Comments


Sorry, but I think the atmosphere of Tryshasla is a lot more immersive and overall enjoyable than this, but this is still ace.

Digging: Between the Buried and Me - Colors

Digging: Between the Buried and Me - Colors

Yotimi
November 14th 2011



5207 Comments

Album Rating: 4

Outran and title track are awesome. I may bump my rating actually now that I listened again

Wizard
February 16th 2012



15848 Comments


Glad I was peeping your profile cause this sounds mighty good. Love your short reviews dude.

Digging: Vaura - Selenelion

Wizard
February 16th 2012



15848 Comments


Listening to this now and I love it.



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