Ignatius- Baggage Handler

Artist: Ignatius
CD Title: Baggage Handler
Label: Out Records
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 11/6/04

Ignatius creates abstract electronic music in the same vein as Aphex Twin and even Coil’s more techno-oriented efforts. On this recording, the artist’s second full-length, things tend towards the ambient side. Sometimes the effect is pleasant, as it is with the relaxed melodies and sustained tones of “Eventide Piano” or the glitch music of “Baggage.” Other times it’s darker, like the creepy spaced-out noise of “Bindbreaker” or the abrasive scraping noises that punctuate “Cachexic Drift.” Occasionally, things are just weird, like “Over,” which is full of pleasant burbles and organic-sounding beats. Once in a while, things actually get up-tempo, like the analog beeps and bleeps of “The Dirty Sock Bonus” or the minimal acid house of “Almost Friendly,” which puts the dance back in “intelligent dance music.” Pointing out these variations, however, is missing the point, because overall this is less a collection of songs than an extended, 78-minute mix of rhythmic textures all blurring together. It’s not immediately accessible, but this album is immensely rewarding if given the proper attention.

Find an hour and a half of uninterrupted spare time, put Ignatius on your headphones, and visit www.outrecords.com for more information.