The idea of taking electronica and applying it to alternative rock isn't really novel, in and of itself. Indeed, bands like Cut Copy, Foals, and even the now too-big-for-their-own-good Bloc Party have dabbled in synthesized, rhythm-driven post-punk for a number of years, all to varying levels of success. Los Angeles-based recording artist Abie Toiber has taken that mantra to a perhaps more ethereal level: his 2005 debut Lotus is progressive rock with both a techno and ethnic twist, melding various alternative and regional styles together and coming up with some trippy, spaced-out jams that sit astride convenient labeling.
Amazingly, though, Lotus is largely a restrained offering, workmanlike and efficient in conjuring up all of its intergalactic soundscapes. Toiber goes to work as if scoring a film, fitting various musical pieces and motifs into an organic, shifting puzzle. The plucking, syncopated muse of "Hada: Lo Que Es" is mysterious and yet soothing, relying heavily on one-note synths and clean, bouncing guitars to dole out its vision. Its partner "Hadas: Lo Que Nunca Fue" acts as yin to the yang, reaching into the opposite field with clean, acoustic simplicity – even when things get fast, furious, and rather frantic.
One can hardly discuss Lotus without bringing up the notable lack of organized percussion. Though tracks like the driving "Anima Blue" sport the best kind of 80's-inspired drum machine beats, many tracks prefer a freer, atmospheric form that's more at home to New Age than electronica. Toiber forges on nonetheless: the revolving, loopy "Dragon Dáir" is perhaps his take on laid back trip-hop, while "Fly Away" takes manipulated, Manson-esque vocals and pairs them with a rather upbeat, light pop number. Meanwhile, the title track "Lotus" throws in some faux-sitars, slapping drums, and peppered breakbeats just for the hell of it, since perhaps the album had thus exhausted every other instrument combination.
Obviously, Toiber is fond of using anything and everything available on his sound pad. And, while such disposition lends Lotus a slapdash quality, it's hard not to admire the sheer variety of it all. With every track reveling in its own experimentation, it's clear Toiber is having fun, which is a rather unique attitude for two genres – progressive rock and electronica – that often take themselves way too seriously. If there's any grand, unifying vision or concept on Lotus, it's clearly about the enjoyment of creation.
Kevin Liedel, MuzikReviews.com Sr. Staff
July 19, 2009
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