The counterpart to
Eric Copeland's first
Trogg Modal release continues in that album's carefree mode, with the
Black Dice leader capturing the spirit of countless late-night synth and drum machine sessions on tape. However,
Vol. 2 is somehow much more focused than its sibling and is perhaps the closest
Copeland has come to making straightforward dance music. More often than not, the tracks have heavy, banging kick drums, as well as more DJ-friendly structures than we're used to from this artist. There's no denying that it's
Copeland -- the junky drum sounds and mumbled, distorted vocals on tracks like "Pay Off" make that certain. But these tracks resemble classic house and techno in several ways, from the deep yet smog-filtered synth pads and pounding beats of "United Banana" to the "Shari Vari"-like bassline and devastatingly strong kick drums of "BS Dropout." "Light Fantastic" slips in some metallic percussion, seemingly nodding to DFA forebears like
Liquid Liquid, as well as a ravey piano loop and a filtered vocal sample, resulting in another offbeat house winner. Really, what makes this album so exciting is the fact that the energy just doesn't lag, even on slower, more jumbled tracks like "Blazin."
Copeland's music always seems loose, sometimes barely holding together, but even though these tracks are by no means polished, they're full of ideas and executed with such an electrified spirit that they end up sounding uncommonly strong. Fun and vibrant,
Trogg Modal, Vol. 2 is easily
Copeland's most consistent album to date. ~ Paul Simpson