Whereas most abstract electronic musicians (
Autechre,
Funkstörung, etc.) proclaim hip-hop as the inspiration behind their heavily gradated and severely fractured beats, Southern Califonia's
Appogee brings a more indie-oriented notion to similar proceedings, as is made evident in the sweeping Western guitar simulations on "Ntheme," the relaxed vocals on "I'm Yours," or even his personal remix of
Bright Eyes found on his MySpace page. Even at its most abrasive, like the screech and rapid hits found on "Kddr Mov. 3," there's no denying
Appogee's soft spot, as if he just can't resist a
U2-esque delay effect or the warm vibrancy of a gently picked guitar line. It's as if his primary inspiration might actually be the resonance of an acoustic guitar strummed against your chest, with all of the surrounding beats and blaze as mere vesicles used to transport the hum. Even in the navel-gazing world of electronics, one recognizes that hitting the low E string on a vintage Martin hollow body for hours is only compelling to the player himself, and would certainly not translate onto CD.