Mittwoch, 17. Jun 2009, 2:36

I really wish that Dntel's Jimmy Tamborello had stuck with the early IDM, glitch-pop sound of his first two records. Life is Full of Possibilities and the Seaonsal EP are both works that explore these roots while simultaneously branching out in new and surprisingly complimentary directions. Figurine, while inferior, still crafted some of the best electro twee pop there's ever been. And while I love Postal Service, I feel this musical endeavor, as well as the Tamborello's first follow-up record, the dismal James Figurine record, mark the beginning of an unfortunate change in Tamborello's musical orientation. Everything that was haunting about his prior records has been completely lost.

I don't think I've ever been as disappointed in an artist as I am with Dntel and Tamborello's current work with it. It's because Dntel's early works were so amazing, so breathtaking, so rattling, and they weren't even anywhere near what Tamborello is, or at least was obviously capable of. I was so excited to see where his journey would take him, and I'm really sad he's plummeted. He could have been one of the best. Now he's just one of the bestselling.

This is granted that I haven't heard the Early Works for Me if it Works for You outtakes yet. I bought the record a few weeks ago but haven't listened to it because I've literally not had time to. Because of who it is, I refuse to listen to it in anything but my car the first time through. Those thousands of dollars in stereo equipment is bound to be tickled pink by that record, just like it is with most of the rest of Dntel's stuff. I also haven't listened yet to any of the free mp3s that he posts regularly on his website. This is my own fault - the collection I had was lost in a hard drive crash because I heard any of them, and I haven't yet gathered the energy to recollect them.

Because I will say this about Dntel: I'll always love the records that I love, and I will never feel any disrespect for Jimmy Tamborrello. He is incredibly gracious toward all of his fans, even if they don't like his new stuff. He also doesn't disown his musical past like some artists, hence making the outtakes from what is a retrospectively adored album available to those of us who adore it so much. So I, in turn, will respect his decision to do the kind of music he adores. And feel really glad that's he found it.