Markus Guentner - Doppelgaenger

MARKUS GUENTNER - DOPPELGAENGER (Sending Orbs)

Sending Orbs have made a name for themselves recently with ambient techno - witness a return to form by Yagya with “Rigning” early in 2009. This album, by Kompakt veteran Markus Guentner, sees the artist veer off his more club-based aesthetic to something approaching a synthesis between Gas and the scratchy, distant sound of Fennesz, which is all too apparent on the opening track “Angelpunkt”, where a shimmering, simplistic melody vibrates ever so slowly against a fragile pattern of scratches and flickering static. A penchant for the cinematic atmospheres so beloved of many producers of this ilk continues throughout the album, and seems to be indicative of Guentner’s approach as a whole.

This is frustrating, because there is no doubt that he has an approach to composition that is technically very competent. However at a time where lush soundscapes and melancholia are somewhat overflowing with producers providing soundtracks to grim Tuesday afternoons, it’s necessary to stand out. Perhaps the album title is a good indicator for Herr Guentner’s idea behind this work, but throughout this work, musical cliches from genres long gone creep up almost unnoticed, and before long you are 50 minutes into the album.

Despite these criticisms, there are highlights. “Flimmerfrequenz” churns excitedly with a slightly diabolic melody that then mutates into something quite beautiful, and there’s a ever-so slight contrapuntal aspect to it that yields rewards on further listening, the two harmonies twirling delightedly together. Guentner’s Kompakt roots show in the morning haze of “Dreiglanz”, a distant backbeat providing subtle dialogue to the shifting, slightly disorientating synth line. Again however, a lack of progression prevents me from showering too much praise on it. The melancholic “Meer Der Leugen” is too long at 10 minutes, but in amongst the well-tuned sonic artifacts there is a good techno track to be heard.

“Doppelgaenger” unfortunately fails to really deliver however as the producer is caught between two aesthetics, and at times seems unable to decide what he is trying to achieve. It is hard to extricate albums of this nature from the functionality that Ambient and Techno ultimately all too often become associated with, and there is little in the way of emotional content to make any long lasting connection.

Toby Frith

Comments

[Jeremy Regan]

I think "fails to deliver" is a bit harsh, but I guess it depends on your perspective. This is exactly the kind of album I was hoping for but didn't even know it. The lack of cohesion and normal progressions is fresh and imaginative and it's sleepy, all of those are good things. All I can say is when I read reviews like yours that is my indication that it is a good ambient CD that I really want, the kind that you find yourself having a hard time paying attention to -- when you do you are rewarded.