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    Opus 2000/Plaid
    Plaid — Not for Threes cover

    Plaid

    Not for Threes

    (1998)

    Reviewed by Paul Morton

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    Label NothingOpus2000
    electronicexperimental

    Originally published at Opus →

    Clearly not the sort of record you will get hit singles from; the track listing suggests a list of Arabic numbers and misspellings. It plays with the sounds it creates, where rhythmic beats become wreathed in floating melody until it becomes hard to spot and erratic, tiny beats shudder across basslines that just might be tunes.

    One of the happiest and most hummable, "Myopia," warps almost imperceptibly into something rather more sinister, and always makes me think of a volcanic island paradise. Björk makes a welcome and unexpected appearance, ethereal and neo-pagan, but more soulful than that. Nicolette adds a more restrained touch than usual as well. Something that always sounds good is the inclusion of real instruments which are wisely kept understated. We don't need orchestra n' breakbeat or guitar n' house and we don't get it. Forget big-beats. This is the new genre: micro-beat.

    Similar sounding releases

    1997GusGusPolydistortion1999LambFear of Fours2000TechnicolorNormal Control Range (Bliss Out Vol. 16)1998The High LlamasLollo Rosso1998Junior Varsity KMTaking Care of You (Bliss Out, Volume 10)2004Rainstick OrchestraThe Floating Glass Key in the Sky

    More from Plaid

    1998Understanding God1999Rest Proof Clockwork

    Also in Opus 2000

    1999Everything but the GirlTemperamental2000The AutumnsIn the Russet Gold of This Vain Hour1999GarlandsPicnic, Lightning1998MorrisseyRare Tracks1997Orange Cake MixSilver Lining Underwater (Bliss Out, Volume 3)1992MorrisseyYour Arsenal