A rare full-length release from Cologne-based synth minimalist
Peter Grummich,
Switch Off the Soap Opera smoothly incorporates glitchy noise like the waves of pure distortion that threaten to overpower "Orange Moon" and tricky bits like the stutter-step beat that throws "Camp Tipsy" off its stride. Fundamentally, however, this is two LPs' worth of throbbing, deep synth bass; placid, implacable electronic beats; and occasional washes of keyboards for color. Few people do minimal techno so well, and the album only occasionally drifts away into mere droning, with slowly unfolding, subtly melodic songs like "Bread & Butter" and "Incoming (There's No Way Out)" being particularly inviting. However, those not used to the minimal techno form should be warned: nothing happens on this album. Frequently. ~ Stewart Mason