Psycho by Plusplus – ReviewPosted on October 31, 2014 by George De Bruin via the cerebral rift.
Psycho by Plusplus is the third part of the “Evils Trilogy” which started back in 2008 (however, there were delays in releasing each title, so they didn’t start appearing until 2011). Plusplus is Adam Radmall, and on this release he collaborated with Bryan Styles and Rob Scillitoe to produce a recording that is very earthy and grounded in sound.
Psycho by PlusplusFrom the onset, this is a striking release. The opening guitar chords of ‘This is based upon a true story’ immediately made me think of Nick Drake. But as the song unfolds it takes on a cinematic quality, expanding before you like a slow tracking shot over the horizon of a field.
Throughout this release Plusplus plays with rhythm in ways that are mesmerizing. For example, in ‘Piano Song’ the primary rhythmic figure in the bass line of the piano is a Waltz style, while the right hand is playing a repeated duple figure, basically a two-on-three feel. Meanwhile the upright bass adds emphasis to the one beats, while the drums play an intricate counterpoint to the two-on-three lines. The effect is that of a whirlwind of dance that is unpredictable in where it will carry you.
Melodies in these songs come across as simple, and folk-like. However, the deception lays in the setting of the melodies. The attention to rhythm, texture and arrangement accented with melodic, hum-able melodies masks the sophisticated nature of these pieces less apparent.
There are some touches of electronics and experimentation in this release. But they are subtle. They blend in with the pieces, accenting their texture and never overwhelming or stealing the focus from the music itself. It’s a fine balancing act that is pulled off better than any Nik Wallenda high wire act.
ConclusionThis is a release I thoroughly enjoyed every note from beginning to end. The is an exceptional attention to detail in the texture and arrangement of these pieces. The touches of electronics and experimentation serve the pieces and accent the texture and atmosphere adding a new depth to them, and never distracting The rhythms are mesmerizing to the point of being almost hypnotic. This release is a serious contender for one of the finest recordings I’ve listened to this year (and there is some pretty stiff competition in that arena).
A review from Mexico…
http://reynaventura.net/lanzamiento-plusplus-psycho/?fb_action_ids=835498006495158&fb_action_types=og.likes
Plusplus es un proyecto de Adam Radmall, quien ya antes había sacado un par de trabajos, el primero en el 2010 y después en 2012, este release llamado “Psycho”, es el final de esta trilogía de trabajos acerca de “Tecnología maligna”.Con una mezcla de sonidos armónicos y una atmósfera folk, este EP se sostiene dentro de una bella mezcla, una producción muy bien realizada y un ejercicio creativo en el que los instrumentos (piano, guitarras, baterias, etc) parecen irse uniendo dentro de un espacio orgánico que pareciera tranquilo pero en el que también existe cierto caos.
Onda rock review… (Italy)
Dopo Mark Steward con il suo progetto Grand Tourist, tocca ora ad Adam Radmall esprimere in forma solista il suo contributo all’universo Plantman: da qualche tempo residente in Giappone, Adam continua però a collaborare e ha in effetti coinvolto a distanza il batterista dei Plantman Bryan Styles, avvalendosi anche del double bass di Rob Stillitoe.
Si realizza così il terzo disco del suo progetto Plusplus, che si articola in evocative trame acustiche, del tutto reminiscenti di quelle, sognanti e malinconiche, dei Plantman (“Jail”, tra i pezzi più collettivi, è la connessione più evidente).
Tra le eccezioni va segnalato il giro pianistico post di “Piano Song”, in una progressione che si sviluppa però senza gravità, ma con quella trepidante curiosità che contraddistingue il songwriting maturo di Radmall, così come quello di Randall dei Plantman.
Tra mesti movimenti “slow” come “Dieter Rams”, algido tributo matematico al designer tedesco, più ariose strimpellate riverberanti (la title track), il disco riesce veramente a involarsi nel sognobadalamentiano di “Plantopia”, in cui Adam sembra ricollegarsi, in modo fortemente suggestivo e intransigente, alla visione naturalistica della band di provenienza.
Un buon ascolto, che non regala mai facili suggestioni (“The Rolling Hills Of England” sembra più una sonorizzazione della “Guerra dei Mondi” di H.G. Wells che un quadretto bucolico e nostalgico).