NME Reviews

Autechre

Quaristice

There are Autechre fans who, apparently, believe that Thom Yorke’s favourite electronica act record with military hardware. Such rumours are indicative of how Autechre obsessives see the duo: as shadowy secret agents working at the outer reaches of sound. In truth, while often hard work, Autechre albums have never been that forbidding. Their ninth album contains several genuinely beautiful, if deeply odd, moments as songs like ‘Altibzz’ and ‘Notwo’ are more ambient sound art than songs. Equally, ‘Plyphon’, which could be an old ska tune brutally reconfigured, sounds audaciously playful. There are ideas here that could have been developed into a stunning 10-track album. Unfortunately, ‘Quaristice’ contains 20 ‘tunes’, many of them elusively experimental ear-tormenters. Still waiting for Autechre’s feel-good pop crossover album? Don’t hold your breath.

Tony Naylor

6 out of 10

Add your comment

NME Alerts

Get NME news delivered direct to your desktop. Find out more

Please sign in

Forgot your password?

Register with MyNME

Every Tuesday

  • Breaking News stories
  • All you need to know about the week's NME magazine
  • Live, Album and Track reviews
  • Tip offs about the most important Gigs
  • All the latest NME.COM video exclusives

Every Friday

  • NME.COM's free mini-magazine
  • Gig listings for the weekend
  • All the most important Album and Track reviews
  • The week's biggest News stories
  • Competitions - with exclusive music prizes
  • plus loads more!

In The Magazine

This Week's Issue
  • The ultimate guide to the week in music
  • Agenda-setting news and fiery comment
  • Must-read interviews with the planet's hottest bands
  • Hundreds of UK gigs listed every week
  • Unrivalled access to the artists that matter
  • Subscribe today and get 1/3rd off NME