A dark vision permeates
Octavius' Mush Records debut,
Audio Noir. Using augmented samples, processed live instruments and vocals, and software-based editing techniques,
Octavius builds a disorienting and foreboding collection of sci-fi soundtrack music ("Monochrome"), avant rock, and electronic hip-hop (the
Tricky-esque "Speed Limit"). His work can drift like ambient
Brian Eno pieces (the beautiful "Surprisingly Concerned With One Another"), distort with abrasive freakouts ("Cellophane"), or pummel with
Nine Inch Nails beats and aggression ("Vacant/Panic"). In some ways it's reminiscent of the mind-boggling cut-ups of
DJ Shadow and
DJ Q-Bert -- but
Octavius is a hip-hop producer and noise musician, not a scratch artist. Another useful reference point is
RJD2, particularly when it comes to
Octavius' similar use of atmospheric, movie score sounds ("Momentum/Parisian War Song"). But,
RJD2 has a knack for pop and body-moving song structures that seem to hold no interest for
Octavius. Fans looking for catchy hip-hop should search elsewhere (
OutKast's
Speakerboxxx is unbeatable), but for a sinister, elaborately experimental and cerebral take on hip-hop,
Octavius has got it all tied up. ~ Charles Spano