"Verbal" Amon Tobin throws down some old skool TRON visuals.

October 17, 2002 12:19 PM

"Verbal" Amon Tobin throws down some old skool TRON visuals. (Quicktime Required) Amon Tobin not only has come out with a dastardly new album but he's also on tour in the US this next few months; the guy is a master of the sampler and should not be missed. The video rocks hard as well, I'd like to see this one on the big screen. I sound like a frickin' marketing weasel (which I'm not), but this guy deserves all the publicity he can get.
posted by jeremias (22 comments total)

That video looks like the replay from a Gran Turismo game.

I love a lot of Amon Tobin's stuff (not so much this video's track tho) -- but I would say even his fans should be a-okay to miss him live. I've seen him twice, and was seriously bored both times. His work is studio work, doesn't translate live well.
posted by malphigian at 12:37 PM on October 17, 2002

It reminds more of Automan than Tron...
posted by stifford at 12:45 PM on October 17, 2002

Amon Tobin, sure. But 'Verbal' leans too much against James Brown and Maceo Parker doing 'Pass the Peas.' Sorry.

Look toward Autechre for the zeitgeist.
posted by four panels at 12:48 PM on October 17, 2002

I liked him live, and have tickets to see him again next Wednesday. It's just that he does a DJ set, and he's not the world's greatest DJ. He is solid, though.

And with Prefuse 73 and Bonobo opening up, it's a steal for $20 Cdn.
posted by sauril at 1:05 PM on October 17, 2002

I'm going to the that same show in san francisco in a week and a half. I saw him last time he came around as well, and I disagree about seeing him live. Its definitely not like seeing other DJs live - you don't exactly go to Amon Tobin shows to dance, but it's still completely worth it.
posted by badstone at 1:11 PM on October 17, 2002

Look toward Autechre for the zeitgeist.

Apples and oranges.
posted by badstone at 1:24 PM on October 17, 2002

Oh yeah well *I'm* seeing that show on Saturday, so *nyeah* :D

I'm excited.
posted by manero at 1:25 PM on October 17, 2002

Not his greatest work...

Check out the album "Permutation" for some fantastic stuff..
posted by quibx at 1:45 PM on October 17, 2002

Yeah, it looks as though "Verbal" was directed by Alexander Rutterford, who also directed the much superior "Gantz Graf" video for Autechre.

"Supermodified" still stands as Amon's best work; I find it to be a more cohesive and darker piece of work than "Permutation". That said, both are definately better than "Out from Out Where" -- needs less breakbeat, more breaks.
posted by aflores at 1:53 PM on October 17, 2002

I'm with you guys here... I usually despise anything in the electronic genre, but I like Tobin's new album. (Now to dig up his last three releases...)
posted by waxpancake at 1:57 PM on October 17, 2002

I saw Tobin do a live set a couple of years ago, and the coolest thing about it was that there was a completely hearing-impaired girl sitting on the edge of the stage, and she had the hugest smile on her face. The massive, massive bass coming from the sound system actually let her enjoy the set. Very cool.
posted by krunk at 2:16 PM on October 17, 2002

Some folks might have seen this already, but there's a great interview with Tobin on Pitchforkmedia.
posted by Dean King at 2:19 PM on October 17, 2002

Pitchforkmedia also boasts one of the funniest reviews of Tobin...

" 'You poor plebeian, devouring mainstream culture like so many Chalupas and Doritos. If you would simply pause for a mere second and lend an ear to the remarkably intricate and razor sharp compositions offered on Supermodified, you would become revolted at only the thought of such derivative drivel....' "

(first comment, btw, what up mefi)
posted by iamck at 3:11 PM on October 17, 2002

Yeah, I got to second that about Autechre Vs. Amon Tobin.

Apples and Oranges.

Personally, for cutting edge without having to be "cutting edge" sound manipulation, I go to Steve Roach. He has a pretty cool website, too.

I guess he would be more like Candied Dates to your Apples and Oranges.

geekhorde
posted by geekhorde at 3:30 PM on October 17, 2002

i basically just feel that autechre is about pushing the glitch envelope, whereas amon tobin has a wider range of inspiration and also does actual orchestration - he actually makes songs. i don't necessarily need songs, but tobin does them incredibly well.
posted by badstone at 3:56 PM on October 17, 2002

that new album is ok. but all the sonds are just too familiar from the last albums...and the video was rather boring. probably looks much better on DVD though. (gantz graf looks impressive on DVD...and i'm not a big fan of Autechre)

cars driving round... hmm.
posted by lukec at 7:10 PM on October 17, 2002

Yeah, it looks as though "Verbal" was directed by Alexander Rutterford, who also directed the much superior "Gantz Graf" video for Autechre.

Looks like he used the same plug-in for this one too.
posted by inpHilltr8r at 7:20 PM on October 17, 2002

I picked up the album this afternoon, and on my stereo in the living room, with some decent base, I have to say that I like it even more than Supermodified. Unlike lukec, I found that he's made a distinct progression in his sound.

On my computer speakers, on low volume, it's not nearly as spooky.

And I'll third the Autechre vs Tobin comparison.
posted by sauril at 7:23 PM on October 17, 2002

All I can say is I got comps to a show here and it will sure beat sitting home alone watching the snow fall.
posted by infowar at 8:29 PM on October 17, 2002

To a guy who mostly hates stupid gansta rap full of four- and twelve-letter words, I really enjoyed this track -- I might actually be motivated to look for CD.

For added enjoyment, I popped open about five additional new windows so I could listen to all the copies at once. It was...eclectic. Like a cocktail party with a beat.

Oh -- nice visual, too.
posted by alumshubby at 9:58 PM on October 17, 2002

It fed my Gran Turismo fetish anyway :)
posted by Foosnark at 8:11 AM on October 18, 2002

I'm a massive Amon Tobin fan as well, but I found this video boring. Computer generated cars swerving left and right: ho hum. It's well rendered with realistic action, but doesn't match the sonic intricacies of his work. When I listen to bricolage, permutations or supermodified, I envision particle effects, distortion fields, multiple transparent planes... hey, I guess I envision Radiohead's underwater piano song video! Ninja Tune, how about hiring whoever did that ? I think there are other songs on his album that would have made a better single, BTW. When he's at his best, he's simultaneously ambient, orchestral, trippy, mellow, fierce and groovy. Keep up the great work, Amon!
posted by nofi at 8:25 AM on October 18, 2002