genCAB - II transMuter

When I started listening to II transMuter, my first impression was that it’s more than annoying.
“Left Eyed Gemini” sounds like some crazy vagabond was flying about in space, looking for radio stations among the myriad different frequencies (including some alien broadcasts), producing cataracts of noise. It made an alarm signal go off in my head, so my first contact with genCab was rather “chilly.”



Luckily, what comes next is some catchy music that no longer threatens to damage your ears. If I were to generalise, I’d call it an emotional cyber-dialogue accompanied by interesting, dynamic and original melodies spiced with samples that are sensibly interwoven with the whole.

What you’ll find on II transMuter is mostly an interesting (not so obvious these days, I’m afraid) combination of dynamic sounds, making the best of both clear and distorted vocals. And even though there’s a lot of emotions here, it is certainly no uncontrolled, chaotic stampede – it’s rather some very good material, balancing between emotion and systematic electronics without crashing into the reefs * ( * those would be an unbound, hypersensitive hysteria of whines about the cruelty of fate on one side, and a soulless, analytical lab on the other).

Both “Perish the Thought” and “Let It Be” have this moderate but full-blooded sound, the latter being much more provocative and vocally aggressive. Other tracks, like “Self Image” or “Siren Song” (two of my favourites) have the feel of musical jests, quite unexpectedly switching conventions and juggling styles. Still, they’re smooth, slightly theatrical recitations which – surprisingly – manage to introduce melancholy, despite some sharper elements. They’re bound to catch your attention.

But there’s more: those who yearn for musical experiments and sharp turns into rough industrial, occasionally mixed with regular beats, will probably find tracks like “Frozenpause” much to their liking; lovers of condensed distortion will choose “Version2;” “High Tech Low Life” should play well for those who like dancing in stroboscopic lights; finally, “Expired Inside” will help you find nostalgia among twisted electronics.

What about my last contact with the album? Just as much as “Left Eyed Gemini” was annoying, “Right Eyed Gemini” is soothing, reflective and of tranquil beauty. It’s all like approaching a noisy, irritating world, staying awhile, and finally going away.
For good? That we shall see...