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The World According To... (2002)
Review:

Cast aside your preconceived notions of Intelligent Dance Music. At first glance, the "Techno-mentary" concept of 20-question interviews forming the basis of techno compositions seemed novel at best. However, in listening to the 5 subjects' responses on Soundry artist Several Channeled Frequencies' debut CD, this thought vanishes as we are drawn into the music and the world of each personality. Unlike most electronic music, which may make you dance but requires only passive listening, each track provokes a wide range of emotions, opinions and responses that can only be interpreted differently by each listener.  The music, composed around the subject's answers, provides a fitting soundtrack to each  in-mind movie.

Electronic connoisseurs need not worry: Several Channeled Frequencies' music capably stands alone without dialog...as shown by the five beautiful chill-tech tracks placed between the interviews. But if you are looking for something new and different, the scored "World According To..." interviews are definitely the highlight here. From the sparkling chill out grooves of "Metar" to the quirky skronk of "Laurel", Several Channeled Frequencies' music fits each interview flawlessly and is devoid of the excessive knob twiddling that bogs down most IDM. "Osher" is my favorite, with its world music touches and exotic instrumentation, making the listener truly want to learn more about this mysterious woman. For the most part, "Several Channeled Frequencies" is a celebration of the diversity of the human sprit. By using real people and electronics as his inspiration, Several Channeled Frequencies seamlessly merges  man and machine while following the lead of pioneer John Cage's use of the sounds of the natural world to construct and create music.

For the final piece, "Population Kontrol", the artist turns the 20 questions upon himself. As with most albums under construction when September 11^th changed our world, here is where the mood takes a turn and life is examined under the cold glare of Darwinism. Be that as it may, don't expect Boyd Rice style negativism on this one, it still ends on a life/love-affirming note.

Several Channeled Frequencies' debut CD proves as the artist states himself, "Everyone has their own reality".  The question remains, how will it influence yours?

Review by Myrl Siereveld