REVIEWS
OF "MANMADE NATURE" BY MINT
Infratunes
- June 2005
Translated from French review
"Four tracks on this EP, Manmade nature... I'll draw your attention to the
musical work of this graphic and clothing designer. Definitely, Mint can do many
things well, not least music.
Manmade Nature EP fits an emotional
vein, with languorous beats and warm sounds,
that ambient music lovers
like to feel pulsate. With traces
of the music of 'Deadbeat' in A question
of timing, Mint endows his music with a charm
as well as a gentle softness
to lighten the end of a difficult day.
(Mint uses) a little frankness and a bit
of naivety, dispensing with superfluity and
keeping only essential sound textures, the
purified and slow rhythms, organic sonorities,
supported with intricate melodies. Manmade
Nature EP is simple and basic, but
moving and fascinating..."
"... At 19 minutes,
it is short, but when it's also pleasant,
you don't hesitate to press the repeat
button. And when you know that Mint has a
new EP, on the same label, in mid-June 2005,
you... are relaxed even more." |
| Read
the original review |
Helene Ramos
Sonidoextremo, Peru - 15/03/05
"Bizarre and unpredictable...abstract and minimalist..this identified flying
object expresses the 21st cyber culture at its best!"
Electronic Desert -
26/02/05
"The 1st track on the EP has solid beat and assorted layered synthetic sounds
in harmony. The 2nd track “Milk” is pure bliss based on feather light
beats, clever panning and synthetic sounds washing in like a mild summer rain.
All accompanied by a guitar floating around in the background and a vocal sample.
Terrific atmosphere and I don’t even like milk.
The 3rd track “A question of timing” sets
another mood and has hesitant percussions
and played bassline to go. The beat takes
on house like form and gives the track forward
movement, but the bassline never leaves their
side. The 4th track “Little Gift” would
find it’s place in any nursery and
has the sweetest of melodies, but wait their
some foreign elements in this nursery song:
glitch. Wisely distributed though, wouldn’t
want to upset the little ones and yes we
get lovely strings too.
The conclusion: a nice track and another
great release by Mint and Boltfish."
|
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the whole review |
Tesselate - 20/02/05
""Standing still" drops a smile rich melody from the very beginning
and backs it up with sweeping and eye catching charm that is backed up by a drumbeat
that although thudding in its makeup is rhythmic and programmed to the highest
degree. The whole track feels like an introduction to a story, with a flyby over
the entire landscape that the whole thing will unfold on, pure quality throughout."
"Manmade Nature ep is another superb
release from Boltfish. Full of character
and rammed with rich electronica callings,
this is another must hear release from Mint.
Just remember, this music is FREE! yes free
(you can still buy a nice cd version), its
hard to beleive it still is, with the quality
running throughout. Just get it."
|
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the whole review |
Igloomag - 12/02/05
(Part of a review combo/feature)
"Mint returns with yet another EP on Manmade Nature, the extravagant sounds
of post-modern electronica. Rather than focusing on the minimalism featured on
the Audubon EP, Mint allows his beats to grow on their own --meshing threaded
moments of faded memories next to syncopated beats that has a Boards of Canada
feel. Remaining true to form and function Manmade Nature hints at nature inspired
by human interaction. The focus of such an EP seems genuinely procured by a mission
to produce emotive, inspirational moments. And it does just that. By pouring
the inner details of the soul and mixing them with electronic production, Mint
has produced an EP that fans of Suction Records may really enjoy. "
|
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the whole review/feature |
EtherReal -
31/12/04 (translated from original
French review)
"Developing, in the first two tracks, a cheerful melody and strong upbeat
electronica, Murray Fisher confirms with this EP all that one thought of him
at the end of Sutemos compilation: rhythmic and finely carved melodies, accessible
backdrops, neat construction of each piece and harmonious use of the vocoder.
Obviously, this kind of disc won't revolutionise our vision of melodic electronica,
but it conveys quality from start to finish. Also comfortable within a less happy
framework, MINT gives us, in A Question of Timing, electronica with darker themes
(absence of bright melody, a more distressed structure, darker beats) but which
does not weary the listener. Lastly, to close this short EP, the British artist
delivers a track with soft tones plus a melancholic feel, once again, to prove
his ease with various kinds of melodic electronica."
|
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the original review |
Sutemos -
30/12/04
"Standing Still is killing me slowly killing me. I feel charmed.."
"4 minutes are playing for more than one and
a half hour. I can't stop admiring this track."
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| Rating: 9 |
Read
the whole review |
Untitledmusic
- 05/12/04
"Mellow electronic label Boltfish continue their stunning form with this
latest EP. Opening with ‘Standing Still’ it’s instantly soothing
and chilled.
Wide-open sound scapes, gentle keys and a
sizzling electronica crackle under the surface. ‘Milk’ has a touch of Orbitals ‘Belfast’ to
it, simmering moods and relaxing vibes all the way. ‘A question of timing’ and ‘Little
Gift’ continue in a similar vein.
It’s another fabulous release from
Boltfish, turn the lights off a put this beauty on the CD player and drift away
into a world of soothing calm." |
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