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Dntel
http://www.plugresearch.com
styles: electronica, ambient techno, experimental
others: Figurine, Boards of Canada, Mouse on Mars, UNKLE
 Life Is Full of Possibilities
EFA, 2001
rating: 9.2
reviewer: mr p
Combining indie pop stars and homemade squeaks & pops, Dntel has whipped up a
recipe for one of the most warm and lush records of 2001.
Dntel is essentially Jimmy Tamborello, ex-bass player of Strictly Ballroom and
current member of the electro-pop group Figurine. Tamborello has been working on
Dntel since 1994 with a few releases here and there, but it wasn't until
Halloween Eve 2001, when he released his first full-length, Life Is Full of
Possibilities -- a record sporting electronic glitches amid keyboard washes, Nintendo
sounds, and white noise; intelligently marrying electronica and indie rock in a
beautiful mess of noise.
The album begins with the nasal-y vocals of Chris Gunst (Beachwood Sparks,
ex-Strictly Ballroom) on "Umbrella": "You can turn the city upside down if
you want to / but it won't keep you dry." The song slowly unravels with
organs and white noise, eventually throwing the song far into left-field. The
extremely laid-back "Anywhere Anyone" follows with vocals by Mia Doi Todd. The
song piles up with keyboards, reverb-drenched vibes, and multiple vocal lines
flirting with one another.
After "Anywhere Anyone" ends, two instrumental tracks follow: "Pillowcase" and
"Fear of Corners". Looped tape effects and bubbly synth noises repeat themselves
on "Pillowcase," giving the album room to breathe and adding a new patience to Dntel's sound. Track 4 "Fear of Corners" features stuttering Mum-like electronic
drums and low-end keyboards, creating a subtle mood change.
Meredith Figurine provides the soft vocals on "Suddenly is Sooner Than You
Think." The music underscores the minimal instrumentation and seemingly
non-structured beauty that carries itself throughout the album. Next, bass
drones, piercing treble, and sampled feedback melt over the instrumental title
track. An acoustic guitar creeps in toward the end of the song, lending a
refreshing break from the unidentifiable alien noises.
The melancholy "Why I'm So Happy" follows with That Dog's Rachel Haden behind
the microphone. The intricate drums accentuate the urgency of the melody to
carry the song, providing more decoration than rhythm. Haden's vocals become
increasingly distorted and cut-up, while penetrating static tip-toes the treble
end. The subtle guitar melodies are provided by Brian McMahan (The For Carnation,
ex-Slint). The song has a similar mournful quality that was apparent on UNKLE's
Psyence Fiction. album.
The instrumental "Fireworks" follows with cut & paste basslines and static over
a danceable bass drum. Found-sounds and electronic squeals cause the song to
sound similar to a Nintendo soundtrack run through a couple of cheap speakers
from a local pawn shop. The static continues with "(This Is) The Dream of Evan
and Chan", while guest vocalist Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie) donates his
distinguishable vocals over the water-like keyboard noises and manic drum beats.
The music is eventually overtaken by the static and distortion that dominates
most of the album.
The album gently lays itself to rest with "Last Songs", featuring acoustic
guitar work by Paul Larson (Athalia, ex-Strictly Ballroom). The guitar is cut-up
and disjointed, while sampled symphonies muscle their way into the mix.
One of the album's strengths derive from its varying personalities. At one
moment the album is overbearing with multiple, electronic-laden instruments, and
the next moment features minimal acoustic guitar and modest drum tracks. The
album practices patience while the songs slowly unravel, never rushing any
ideas or causing any sounds to seem forced.
With Life Is Full of Possibilities, Dntel has definitely put himself in
the electronica elite. But dubbing this record simply an electronica album would
be unjust. Dntel is highly effective in melding the inorganic with the organic,
creating a electronic/organic hybrid that has the intimacy of a folk musician
playing to an audience capacity of 30 and the experimental visions of Mum and Matmos.
Include Life Is Full of Possibilities in your life.
Static and distortion has never sounded so beautiful.
1. Umbrella
2. Anywhere Anyone
3. Pillowcase
4. Fear of Corners
5. Suddenly Is Sooner Than You Think
6. Life is Full of Possibilities
7. Why I'm So Unhappy
8. Fireworks
9. (This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan
10. Last Songs
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