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REVIEWS
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Kindred Soul
The Tie That Binds
Fade into You
Hold On
Intoxicated
Lost Command
Break Me Free
Does It Really Matter?
Sleep as Metaphor
Abuse by Proxy
In Times of Misanthropy
Does It Really Matter (GenCab Remix)
Kindred Soul (Mothboy Remix)
Does It Really Matter (Keef Baker Remix)
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REVIEWS
Stray
Abuse by Proxy
Alfa Matrix
Posted: Sunday, April 19, 2009
By: Zak Vaudo
Features Editor
By: Zak Vaudo
Features Editor
Stray brings ambient down-tempo and entrancing electronica together for an album that is simultaneously relaxing and energizing.
Erica Dunham of Seattle-based Unter Null attempts to stray away from her EBM/industrial roots to produce ambient electronica side project Stray. While this proves easier said than done, Stray manages to produce a viable collection of work in the album Abuse by Proxy. Abuse by Proxy sells itself as an ambient and down-tempo album, vastly differing from Dunham's other works. However, this only holds true for half of the album. The other half has an upbeat yet dark electronic feel that shatters the trance created by the calm opening tracks. These upbeat songs are very well done, with their catchy leads, driving beats, haunting vocals, and ambiance that attempt to keep the feel from the beginning of the album. While both ambient and electronica tracks are different from Dunham's other work, the split between the two is too jarring; this album would be better served split into two separate works.
Stray's music, despite its organization on the album, is excellent. The fusion of down-tempo beats, atmospheric pads, and Dunham's chanting vocals on ambient tracks such as "The Tie That Binds" and "Kindred Spirit" lull the listener into a serene state of mind. These tracks are reminiscent of Enigma if Enigma had a more gothic electronic edge. Stray's electronic tracks pull from industrial, breakbeat, and even goa trance to create a synthesis of sound entirely unique to the project. Songs such as "Intoxicate" and "Abuse by Proxy" will capture you and take you for an electronic thrill ride, while "Lost Command' lulls you back into calm ambiance before launching into an enrapturing techno/trance groove. The remix selections for the album, though, are mediocre when compared to the album as a whole. They provide a different perspective on Stray's music, but do not truly contribute. Had this work been two separate albums, each would have been magnificent on their own. If Stray better organizes its incredible music for future albums, then the electronic world will have a new and powerful force behind it.
Stray's music, despite its organization on the album, is excellent. The fusion of down-tempo beats, atmospheric pads, and Dunham's chanting vocals on ambient tracks such as "The Tie That Binds" and "Kindred Spirit" lull the listener into a serene state of mind. These tracks are reminiscent of Enigma if Enigma had a more gothic electronic edge. Stray's electronic tracks pull from industrial, breakbeat, and even goa trance to create a synthesis of sound entirely unique to the project. Songs such as "Intoxicate" and "Abuse by Proxy" will capture you and take you for an electronic thrill ride, while "Lost Command' lulls you back into calm ambiance before launching into an enrapturing techno/trance groove. The remix selections for the album, though, are mediocre when compared to the album as a whole. They provide a different perspective on Stray's music, but do not truly contribute. Had this work been two separate albums, each would have been magnificent on their own. If Stray better organizes its incredible music for future albums, then the electronic world will have a new and powerful force behind it.
