[.ca] Future In Light

Not Bad, Just A Bit Lightweight:
(Obviously Amazon's "album description" is for some other CD, not this; but anyway...) This creative-techno CD is not bad; and I give it all the credit in the world for being vocal-free; but when it gets right down to it, I have to say that it's a bit too lightweight for me...it could use more bass...but all in all it's a pretty good, energetic & creative techno CD.

Future Is What We Are:
It's been a long time since I've bought a techno album, and a really long time since I fell in love with one. Future in Light brings Ken Ishii back to his more Detroit Techno sound, but weaved within its "wall of sound" are traces of ambient trance, 80's hip-hop and pop, funk...all of the various modes Ishii has experimented with in past albums (somewhat uncoherently at times, as in the last one, Flatspin). This one has a much more decidedly mechanical palette, however. "Visionary World" is the album's thesis: thematic, and reliant on the layered harmonies. "Fadeless" is Ken at his most romantic, with fragments of melodic piano amidst the percussive melee (feels like Tokyo to me, for some reason). Over the second half of the CD, this sound in turned inside-out. "Melting Point" is the most dance floor ready track here, and both "Presto" and "Beep Twist" make you want to move. "Strobe Enhanced" closes off the CD very well, combining both the melodic and harsher sides of the CD into one. What's so cool about this CD is the way Ishii constructs and deconstructs his sound, but at the same time creates very energetic, feet-to-the-floor tracks. Future in Light reminds me of Orbital's In Sides, but less introverted (and less jungle). And there is something very, well, Japanese about Ken Ishii: it's as if you can feel the urban Tokyo beating below the funky basslines. Both energetic and meditive, it'll be just as good at the next block party as it is with your headphones on a Sunday evening. It's even better than Jelly Tones (who said that?!) :)

Amazing:
This is a terrific CD if you're looking for a more up-beat, less hard-core listening experience. The first 5 tracks are true standouts, really happy-go-lucky feel-good music. Perfect for cruising around the streets of Tokyo on a busy weekend night. Or even just for getting a good start to the day on your drive to work. Ishi is a great artist and this is a great piece of work. Almost has an '80s pop sound to it. After years of being bombarded with hard, relentless techno this is a welcome change. Highly recommended.

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