reviews
ch:ffre | 09/2005
Jean-Sébastien Roux hatte bereits vor einigen Monaten einen Release auf Thinner, da gab er gleich Nachschub an das Schwesterlabel Autoplate.Sehr hypnotisch saugen die Stücke den Hörer richtig in ihren Bann und wollen ihn garnicht mehr loslassen.
In fast allen Stücken spielt die 303 eine große Rolle, die mit dezenten Melodielinien die Atmosphären versüßt.
Getragen und kuschelweich!
click here for more reviews
LAJ | 04/2006
This is without a doubt one of the most poignant and contemplative of the Autoplate releases to date brimming with heartfelt passion and touching the listener’s most primal emotions. In “may we be us” I feel joy and hope as rapid clicky beats and gentle tones rise above a background of warm droning strings and sparsely played bass notes. In “escaping the land” I sense anger and tension as a wall of roaring, wavering noise suffocates the delicate backdrop electronics. The rage of “escaping the land” gives way to a forlorn rhythmic, ambient drone, sad melodies, and disjointed electronics as the orchestral “in the shadow of unexpectation” arrives. The hopeless tone of the previous track continues, but in a less cinematic way, as “about us” begins with beautiful electronics and a pondering beat. A cyclic bass riff gradually leads this track into a structured melodious piece. Bursts of distorted tones and fragmented electronics beg the question “do be belong here” which eventually takes on a dramatic orchestral atmosphere. “farewell” continues the dramatic mood of “do we belong here” but in a more forceful way as deep bass lines, strong beats, echoing electronics, and dynamic synths complement each other. The chaotic “untitled” ends this philosophic album in mad rush of synths and electronics that come crashing in like unstoppable ocean waves.http://www.archive.org/details/apl030
Mike | 04/2007
Jean-Sébastien Roux records under the name of tlon for the Autoplate netlabel. His music consists of electronic soundscapes which takes on a metaphysical nature. Roux’s liner notes discusses philosophical questions (What is our purpose? Where are we going?) that defies any definitive answer. Perhaps Roux believes the answer is best expressed with sound rather than words.Whether From Elsewhere to Nowhere succeeds philosophically is best left to the listener. Musically it is a haunting and beautiful conceptual work. Roux manipulates organic sounds and string samples into his delicate electronic environment. It is very meditative but can also be listened to for its complex layers. “In The Shadows of the Unexpected” is the most accessible piece with its mellow beat 0ver organ chords and what may be water sounds. The sensations of “Do We belong here” are almost claustrophobic. My favorite track is “Escaping The Land” due to the psychedelic layers of sounds. This is one of the better electronic / ambient albums on the internet.
http://www.somnius.com/amn/2006/09/11/
Jacob Newman / capturedspace.org | 04/2007
There is so much good music stemming from the Thinner/Autoplate den it's hard to know where to begin rambling. So I'll just start here and encourage you to venture deep into the music they release if you have not already. From the release page for this album, the description simply says: "Distant marching pads and light echolot TB-303's" ....which works quite nicely and is straight to the point (echolot being german for "sonic depth finder"). If you're into minimal beats, warm/dynamic bass, prickly electronic emissions and ethereal 303 flight patterns (reminiscent of Plastikman's "Artifakts"), then it's safe to say this album deserves your close attention. Distance is definitely a wonderful theme as this is music for cloud surfing and the observation that goes along with it, in a proper slow-motion kind of way. Balancing vast space and structured rhythms, "From Elsewhere..." is ideal for home, car or headphone listenings. It's rather short, however, clocking in at just over 40 minutes. But be assured every track flows perfecly into the next to form a wonderfully melodic and carefree auditory experience. Next time you slip away from home for some time well spent outside, take the boombox and a copy of this. Just remember to come back if you have to.... Tlon also has another album titled "Acoustic Lazy Dolls" on Autoplate which is also very nice. It's similar but I'd say a bit more ambient overall (and also lacks the 303). Just get them both. He also records under the name "Deluge" on the Thinner label.http://capturedspace.org/reviews/fromelsewheretonowhere.html