Mapstation – “Mapstation ” – [Soul Static Sound]

Thurston Hunger   3/3/2006   12-inch, A Library

Eponymous 2000 debut from Stefan Schneider (of To Rococo Rot)
as Mapstation. Heavy focused simple beats on the A-side
serve as a distracting disc traction, while more interesting
gurlings and burglings battle it out in the spaces between
their emphatic landings. On the b-side lead-off track, we get
waves cresting again with insistent top sounds, while lots of
whispery electronics flourish less perceptibly beneath it.
“Elements” has a sort of exercise video rhythm, and 1 and
2 and 3 and 4 BREATHE… This time the little sounds are
microscoped up more on top, little echoing zaps…then
knocking aquatics, lead up to a sort of German bassline.
Love the ending to “Elements”, square wave to silence. Lastly
“Marden” wobbles on to the turntable, a sort of IDM feel
with those kinda funny austere bounces of sound. Brrr-EEEER.
At the end, we get a little nitty gritty clicky for a bit,
as with “Elements” before it the ending could have gone on
for a trancey bit more for me. -Thurston Hunger