Performer Notes

Personnel: Asmus Tietchens (electronics); Hans Tim Cessteu, Tussi Schemante, Sam "The Cute" Sins (synthesizer); Achim Stutessen (ring modulator); Mischa Suttense.
Audio Mixer: Rokko Ekbek.
Liner Note Author: Kai U. Jrgens.
Recording information: Den Audiplex Studios, Hamburg.
Translator: Gareth Davies .
Asmus Tietchens' second album takes a big leap from Adventures in Sound + Nachtstcke. His debut was rather cold and atmospheric. This one is quirky and dominated by the Roland CompuRhythm drum machine. Some people could see a filiation between this side of Tietchens' work, and the naive electro-pop that briefly surfaced almost 20 years later (Felix Kubin, Reznicek). But the original still stands strong. Of course, synthesizer technology being what it is, the music has aged, but the artist's unpredictability has kept it fresh. You simply cannot tell where these short tunes (nothing over four minutes, most under three) will go, even if they appear to be simple, even simplistic. Tietchens displays a warped sense of melodism. His lines slip out of tune, notes bend out of control. Oddly, the drum machine is not aggravating, in fact it is given the perfect context to put its limits to good use. And the sugary-sweet appearance of the lighter tracks is offset by a few disturbing ambient explorations, namely "Miss Ann Trope," and the closing title track. Tietchens is accompanied by the "Zeitzeichenorchester," but strangely, its six members all have names that are anagrams of his own. Biotop was reissued on CD in 2003 as the second volume in Die Stadt's complete re-release series of Tietchens' early works. The CD adds two bonus tracks presented before the album cuts, as they were recorded before, and mark the transition between Nachtstcke and Biotop: "Futurum Drei" is an addendum to the previous album, developing the same kind of minimalist melody, while "Fast Food" introduces the drum machine for a little cha cha. ~ Fran‡ois Couture

Fishpond works with suppliers all over the world to bring you a huge selection of products, really great prices, and delivery included on over 25 million products that we sell. We do our best every day to make Fishpond an awesome place for customers to shop and get what they want — all at the best prices online.

About Fishpond

You can earn a 8% commission by selling Biotop [Digipak] on your website. It's easy to get started - we will give you example code. After you're set-up, your website can earn you money while you work, play or even sleep! You should start right now!

Are you the Author or Publisher of a book? Or the manufacturer of one of the millions of products that we sell. You can improve sales and grow your revenue by submitting additional information on this title. The better the information we have about a product, the more we will sell!

Submit Information