Album Review: Materielle's Dreams
Most people know Chris Howaniec as the guitarist in World's First Flying Machine, and the influence responsible for some of the unexpectedly noisy little moments that serve to color that band's sound so well. However, he's also a force in the local electronic scene, already having two EPs to his name and featuring on WPGU's Radioactivity. Dreams, his third EP under the Materielle moniker, is a confident and personal document of bedroom dubstep.
The most immediate influence on the EP is the current wave of indietronica — the broken hip-hop beats of Flying Lotus and burbling synths and female vocals from the chillwave movement. Digging a little deeper, more obscure sources of inspiration become clear — the thunderous bass of dubstep and constant, near-compulsive syncopation that would fit right in on a Kid606 or Venetian Snares record.
The opening track, "SloJam", is the most immediate song on the EP, juxtaposing cheery vocals and synth lines with crushing bass and rhythm. It's a jarring effect, and a great way to kick things off and set the tone for the rest of the music. The album's second track, "Out of Nowhere" moves more conretely into dubstep territory, specifically the type endemic to Champaign-Urbana, which somewhat lays off on the bass in favor of space and danceability. "A Little Too Close" somehow manages to pull off sampling "Too Close" by Next (anyone remember that song? It was actually pretty good...), and comes out sounding something like Chicago house dropped into the middle of the current dubstep scene.
However, the real star on Dreams is the closer/centerpiece "In Dreams/City Below". The longest song on the album by a good amount, it seamlessly combines the R&B melodies and agressive rhythms found on the preceding three tracks into a post-rock inspired eight minute build, helped out by a very, very good vocal sample and a constantly shifting sequencer. It's an astoundingly good song, the kind that only comes around once in a certain while and causes you to stop what you're doing and pay attention.
While there are plenty of technical aspects that stand out about Dreams (excellent production, stereo effects, how astoundingly good the closing track is), those are all relatively immediate elements. More importantly, there's something charmingly intimate about Dreams. The numerous layers and elements, the carefully mixed bass — this collection of songs practically begs to be listened to on headphones. One can almost imagine Howaniec conceptualizing the mixes and layers to himself late on a winter night, and it seems an accident that we're even hearing these tracks, as if they weren't intended to be shared — not that I'm complaining by any means. The fact that Dreams comes off as so confident is a testament to Howaniec's vision and technical skill, and it's ultimately a statement that any musician would be proud of.
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Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
that city center house show was one of those life-affirming things.
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I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.
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represent, Matt.