Mike Paradinas was wise to release
Nautilus under his
Jake Slazenger alias, as three of the four songs are in the vein of the funky work he featured on the
Jake Slazenger Makesaracket album. The title track is one of the standout tracks from the second
Slazenger album Das Ist Ein Groovybeat, Ja?. While The track follows the light, airy style of the Gary Moscheles one-off Shaped to Make Your Life Easier, it benefits from a stronger arrangement and fuller production. Clear, chirping sounds and wobbly bass pour out of the song with great energy. Where the Moscheles album settled on lo-fi, albeit fun, repetition, "Nautilus" rockets out of the gate. "Slaz Thing" is more controlled brilliance, as clanging robotic sounds and throbbing, distorted bass mingle with fuzzy synthesized organ sounds and a comical, whiny fake saxophone. If it gets a bit grating, that's part of the
Slazenger attack. "The Penultimate" introduces an entertaining rap sample of "this is the ultimate/I can't go for it." The song's down-tempo grooves, laid back tone, and wacky wah-wah style suggest a hip-hop score to an old Atari 2600 game. "Marks Made in China" is rather uncharacteristic of a
Slazenger creation. The song's dark sonic sludge and ominous pounding crunch would seem better fitted to Bluff Limbo or the first
Kid Spatula album, Spatula Freak.
Nautilus certainly doesn't represent Paradinas' best work, but it's wild exuberance and eclectic charms make it a worthwhile EP. ~ Tim DiGravina