seven

healy brothers caught my attention early last year after their stellar debut on hymen. since then i have been trying to keep up with them releasing countless cdr, records and cds almost every month on the labels all over the world. the productivity and diversity of this duo is simply astonishing. this vinyl release on french casse tete is the latest in the line of upcoming goodies from the band.

this release is further exploration into the world of broken dislocated beats and post-drum&bass sounds. comparing it to more conventional and melodic material of "circumflex," "researching limits" is more experimental and more "extreme," if you wish.

"blacksheep" starts out with a muddied pile of disarrayed breakbeats that work their way out with the help of trademark twisted synthline. a good dose of funkiness have been injected into this track - from small silly tune to whacked out broken percussion. this track could have been cleaner and more thought-out, but somatic responses still manages to pull together a very impressive composition that makes up for any flaws with its originality and complexity.

"zda" is corroded, broken and explosive; twisted crashing beats advance, break, disappear and give birth to a next generation of broken rhythms. vast array of unique percussion is backed by heavy basslines and graceful strings. overloaded beats and piercing clashing noises push the intensity of the sound to extremes.

"omnivox" starts with abrasive ambience where frequencies collide, noisy pulses explode with distant synthline hovers over this chaos; noisy dislocated percussion steps in, overpowering the listener. fast passages are interrupted by short moments of quiet intensity. the track ends with uneasy and disturbing thick ambience.

"allergic" features minimal sci-fi beginning with lush strings and mysterious passages; tension slowly builds pulsing, breaking, shifting... intensity escalates to the violent explosions of drill&noise proceeding with mechanized intensity.

"researching limits" is fast-paced mayhem of ever-changing cut-up and twisted percussion textures, rolling breakbeats; multilayered percussive structure is backed by noisy textures and ever-present quiet strings.

"fru.#.ts" is by far my favorite on this release, possibly because of its simpler and more straightforward sound. slow deep strings, solid rolling breakbeats; it is not as overloaded yet keeping noisy hard edge with plenty of breaks and high-pitched squeals.

overall seems like somatic responses is continuing to move away from conventional drum&bass; more noisy elements are introduced, more distortion is used, breaks and complex turns and tempo changes appear on every track making it truly unexpected and rich experience. at times i wish the sound was "cleaner" and more organized, but maybe i have not yet developed a taste for edgier sound of the band. all in all, this is definitely a release to pick up - a continuous development of the band's sound opens new realms for abrasive rhythmic electronic music.