As stated on his website, the desire of Secret Mommy (a.k.a. Andy Dixon) in making Plays was “to create the most anti-electronic electronic album.” It seems that he has done it. Without using synthesizers, drum machines, or electric guitar, Dixon succeeded in pasting together an outstanding album of glitchiness that sounds as though Matmos enlisted a guitarist from Minus the Bear. But the guitar work, as well as the manipulation, editing, and usage of ukulele, was done by Dixon himself, and the multi-talented songwriter brought aboard a number of additional musicians to incorporate violin, saxophone, upright bass, mandolin, cello, flute, drums, and vocals. The disc is about as organic as cutting and pasting gets.
“Deciduism” begins with a saxophone melody that plays over a whirring, chirping beat before piano and bass follow along. A tweaked mandolin line then gives way to supplemental flute before the sax returns with an assortment of staccato strings. “Grand About the Mouth” has a few decidedly Bjork-like vocal moments, whereas the singing on “Kool Aid River,” for which Secret Mommy also made a video, is finely chopped and generally put through the wringer. Plays also has elements that are akin to Venetian Snares, but the mixture of sliced samples and live instrumentation gives it a sound all its own. If you’re into stuttering IDM that’s as catchy as it is abstract, pick this up.
Scott Morrow
Secret Mommy (Ache Records)