Being my first Speedy J release to own, I did not have a prior album to base my expectations off of. Through reading other people's reviews (of previous Speedy J material), or hearing a sample here and there made me think along the lines of IDM being Speedy J's style. Whether or not previous releases were IDM, this one is very technoid in sound. There are some interesting little details in the music, hinting at IDM; but the focus seemed to be more on the beats with this disc.

The 15 tracks presented here are actually mixed together, making this release one 60+ minute song. The CD starts off slow, using looped drum patterns which made me think of "tribal music" with it's repetitive nature. Intricate little beeps, blips, and other warped sounds are also looped into the beat to keep your attention from getting too lost in the repetition. Unless you are watching your CD player or computer screen, you'll likely never notice where there is a change in "songs" or the tracks either. The "mix" is so well done, not using sped up snare drums for transitions; instead fading new sounds in with slow raises in that sound's volume or sweeping a sound delicately into the mix.

Around track 5 "Freq", you'll start to hear an increase in the music's speed; further inticing your foot to tap along to the music. Never losing the beautiful transitions in sounds, the music begins to sound more and more technoid. Maybe no one is familiar with the DJ Frankie Bones, but there are resemblances here in "Loudboxer's" style of repetitive beats used to hypnotize the listener. Looped voice samples aren't as common as in some of Frankie Bones' material, except in "Krikc Live" and "Inter Zil". "Inter Zil" is a short 51 second echoing robotic voice sample, providing a short break before the rollercoaster speed of (+dancefloor friendly) "Kreck" and "Sevntrak". The wonderful breakbeats "Krikc Live" showcased in it's 1:10 minute time slot, are frantic and good teasers as to what Speedy J can offer live.

Being both engaging with the use of repetitive beats, and staying unique with a technoid sound made this CD a welcome addition to my collection. For those that like their music lively, full of bass friendly beats and want something different then your average "techno" mix, Speedy J delivers. The only bad side effect I see this disc having had on my life, is that now I crave MORE Speedy J..... which isn't all that bad >;^)

Information:
Label: Novamute
Serial: 3071-2
Title: Loudboxer CD
Band: Speedy J
Site: Speedy J's website

Reviewed by Bry'n
7.29.02