By Fred Sowder, April 2008

Supreme Balloon, Matador

            First off, this is not your parents’ Enigma-type electronica.  True, in the past they have worked with Björk, whom your mother probably even sometimes likes in an it’s-oh-so-quiet sort of way.  Matmos, however, are known at times to turn up the noise and squelch – perhaps not all the way up to Merzbow or Squarepusher standards, but enough to keep most everyone but the serious electronica heads away.

            The disc opens with “Rainbow Flag,” which seems innocent enough.  It could actually serve as the soundtrack to some 80s throwback video game based on this release’s cover art.  The slightly more sinister “Polychords” follows, introducing over-modulated beats and a thumping bass line to the proceedings.  Gurgling synths and other madness including a vocoder that sounds oddly like Yoda accompany the appropriately named “Mr. Mouth.”

            What follows is certainly the album’s stroke of genius.  Although it clocks in at just over three minutes, the wild “Exciter Lamp” reminds me of why I love a lot of electronic music in the first place.  Dub echoes, electrified finger snaps, and sinewy string noises entwine themselves in a simmering bouillabaisse of headphone adventure that even segues into “O Canada.”

            At times, the disc is a bit hit-or-miss, including the unremarkable minuet “Les Folies Francaises” and the 24-minute-plus title track.  Most importantly, though, is that this disc gets its groove on for the most part.  Whether or not you take it onto the dance floor is entirely your call.