Review: Telefon Tel Aviv – Immolate Yourself
Telefon Tel Aviv – Immolate Yourself (2009) [Bpitch Control] // Grade: B
How much you enjoy this album really depends on how big a fan you were of Telefon Tel Aviv’s earlier IDM & Ambient based work. If you thought Fahrenheit Fair Enough & Map of What Is Effortless were the bees knees then you’re either going to hate this or should brace your ears for listening shock. I was never a fan of Telefon Tel Aviv earlier albums, so upon putting on Immolate Yourself I braced myself, the way you would for a dentist visit. But instead of the agonizing 45 minutes I was anticipating, what I got was more akin to a huge refreshing breath of air.
It seems that at some point or another most electronic outfits take a stab at Synthpop in some form or another. Immolate Yourself does just that, and does it somewhat completely out of left field. Gone are the reliance on blips, glitches and staccato beats in favor of melody and lush keyboard arrangements that have much more in common with Junior Boys & Cut Copy than any of their previous albums. I was really quite surprised by not only this distinct sound shift, but at how well Telfon Tel Aviv were able to pull it off. Much of the bands older sound is either stripped or reduced to a mere accent on these 10 atmospheric, yet very melodic compositions. Tracks like “The Birds“, “M“, “Helen of Troy” & “You Are the Worst Thing In the World” are just fantastic Synthpop that while looking forward, are forever looking back.
Unfortunately just prior to it’s release a week or so ago, Charles Cooper, one half of Telefon Tel Aviv was found dead. Hopefully the band’s fans are open minded to the wonderful stylistic shift this album took because Immolate Yourself makes for a great and poignant farewell.
February 5th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Sad about Cooper – I keep reading meh reviews but I think there’s some really strong tracks on this one. I might be the only person into TTA that likes this material best..
February 5th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
That’s why I did this review. As you could have guessed I’m not a big fan of TTA earlier albums. But after hearing this new one I felt the band wasn’t getting it’s fair shake because I felt they were being passed on to reviewers who still want them to be an IDM band. I can understand fans and reviewers wanting them pushing the envelope in the sound they’re established in, but sometimes lets just appreciate a strong album, for being a strong album even if it is a departure that doesn’t bring anything new.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
WOW. I never thought we listened to the same music Mike. I love their other 2 cds. Good shit.
Sad to hear about Cooper’s death. I only saw them once at Tonic a few years back.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Prolly: But I don’t like their other two albums though. Just this one!
February 5th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Touché
February 5th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
The album leaf. TTA does the beat programing for him. He’s got some good shit too.
February 6th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I’d also like to add that I hated the pfork review of this album so much it hurt. Predicting that TTA are going to be one of those groups that people “discover” for years to come..