| What makes a good summer album? Something laid-back and easy-on the ear? An album where the emphasis is on fun and playfulness, rather than melancholy and introspection, perhaps? An album where the musician sounds like they are enjoying themselves as much as the listener? Whatever the magic formula is, Pedro has certainly managed to crack it, on this, his self-titled debut release. In truth, there are moments here which are not summery at all. Two moments, to be exact: the "Intro" and "Outro". Both consist of the same beatless piano motif - think Aphex Twin on Drukqs, but good. However, these moments of quiet beauty don’t chime with the season like the rest of the album - this sort of wide-eyed melancholy is more suited to winter. Things get more playful from here, though. "Fear and Resilience" starts in a haze of soft Boards of Canada-style electronic fuzz, before a rumbling rhythm and Eastern strings stampede over it, while cuts and glitches punch holes in the mix. The beat drops out, and a short burst of brass-band squall arrives out of nowhere. Imagine the Avalanches signing to the Warp label, but retaining their sense of humour. This is only the beginning of the highlights. "Dead Grass"' simple piano-and-xylophone melody is bolstered by the arrival of gentle mid-paced rhythms, and a gorgeous string arrangement, while "These Pixels Weave a Person" frantically cuts up a slice of orchestral loveliness over beats that pop, crackle and fizz all around it. "The Water Ran This Way Back and Forth" is a lovely piece of ambient cliché: a gently plucked, distressed melody is submerged in soothing aquatic sounds. The highlight is "123," though. This time, Pedro uses his laptop to create a stunning piece of jazz-glitch. A short string burst is noisily interrupted, while the squeals of the horns scream for attention above jack-hammer beats. The track then loses itself in a series of glorious organ swirls. It manages to keep the listener riveted for its entire seven minutes, which is quite an achievement in this day and age. Intelligent Dance Music frequently lacks a valuable sense of fun. Too often, this music is uninviting and intimidating, with no lighter side to hook the listener in. Pedro is a valuable exception. This is "intelligent" music, for sure, but with an ear for melody and a charming sense of irreverence that sets it apart. There will be few better soundtracks to this summer. - Stylus |
![MH-240 Pedro - Pedro [2006 Edition]](/album_art_front/MH240_F.jpg)
1XLP/Out Of Print