Textura.org - 01/03/05
"Slow Poke is rooted in the subtle marriage of Seattle-based Richard Houghten's acoustic guitar with electronic processing and edits. All but one of the EP's six tracks eschew beats for settings of intimacy and restraint, the languid “Cup” the anomaly with its expansive arrangement of drums and what sounds like bass, vibes, and guitar. “Orange” offers an interesting fusion of down-home ambiance with a sluicing violin moan faintly heard amidst the phasing of guitar plucks, while half-glimpsed traces of delicate melancholy seep through the bluesy picking and electronic echo of “Flashlight.” It's Houghten's guitar prowess that makes the strongest impression, however, on this brief collection of understated folktronica."

Electronic Desert - 26/02/05
"“Slow Poke” is a continuation of Richard Houghten’s “Untitled #3” incorporated on last year’s (2004) Boltfish sampler “Region Zero”. There’s a strange groove to most of the tracks on “Slow Poke”, the layering and use of reversed recordings adding to that effect. And the minimal and acoustic take is most definitely unique sounding. However, especially catering to my taste is the sixth and last track “Cup” with beautiful bass, unidentified sound contraptions, melody and savvy beats. Weighing in at 3.54 it could very well have been a little bit longer, but then again it’s not only the longest track on the EP, you’ve always got the option to hit repeat!"

Tesselate - 20/02/05
""Slow Poke" is an altered audio battery, which is brimming with acoustic rumblings."
""Cup" was my favourite track on this one."

Igloomag - 12/02/05
(Part of a review combo/feature)
"Richard Houghten's Slow Poke EP represents the indie-tronic style of the Boltfish aesthetic. Merging sizzling ambience with creative atmospheric elements, the guitars featured on this 6-track EP make up for the short track-lengths. Richard Houghten made an appearance on the Region Zero compilation with his signature calm inner reflections. The instrumental flickering guitars are ever so subtle that they systemically become part of the landscape. Had Slow Poke been a Live mix-disc rather than individual cuts, the flow of this EP might have made more sense to the audience. Nonetheless, prepare yourself for a relaxing trip through the eyes and ears of this talented musician who offers up nothing but pure soul in his arrangements. "

Untitledmusic - 06/02/05
"Boltfish continue their crusade of cinematic, organic electronic music with another typically intriguing release. This 6 track EP opens with ‘Windshield’. A track that meanders along with some interference on the groove and some stunning chords to catch the ear. ‘Birds and Bugs’ has a pained violin twisting and contorting along with some minimal acoustic touches. And so the pattern is set for the remainder of the EP, strings and not a definite beat in sight… it’s an interesting piece of work, haunting and dramatic. The type of music that creates it’s own form, but never rests in the shape it has grown."