Thanks to Elle, who is now out having adventures in Europe (hope you’ll swing by Stockholm so we can meet up!) I am now a trusting fan of Telefon Tel Aviv. While she tipped me off about their latest album Immolate Yourself early this year, I, in return, lead her into the equally wonderful path of Apparat.
Forging dusky industrial soundscapes with cold beats and breezy synths, Telefon Tel Aviv now have their eclectic electronic (eclectronic?) style found in a shoegazing state that incorporates both techno and ambient elements. Shoegaze techno? It’s hard to tell (but personally I’d definitely say so), but layer after layer of beats, basslines and various electronic sounds almost cover the already subdued vocals in an utterly haunting way. The harmonies created are intricate but often oh so vague and fragile. The opener The Birds is the highlight and I dare say that it’s going to be hard to top this electronic masterpiece of a song this year. Immolate Yourself has really gotten to me and upon reading that Charles Cooper, half of Telefon Tel Aviv, past away only a week after the album’s release, a ghastly and otherworldly aura suddenly surrounds the album itself. Nonetheless, Joshua Eustis has decided to perform the scheduled tour. Check out the myspace to see where you can catch Telefon Tel Aviv. Check out Amazon for a copy of Immolate Yourself - a highly recommended album this year.
With the future of Telefon Tel Aviv uncertain, and with this fantastic album in mind, I’ll be set on discovering the band’s previous two albums. But for now, I wish to remember the original lineup of the non-Swedish TTA with an awesome tune.
BONUSES:
Apparat - Arcadia (Telefon Tel Aviv Remix)
Apparat feat. Raz Ohara - Komponent (Telefon Tel Aviv Remix)