Add N To (X) - Little Black Rocks in the Sun [EP]

When Add N To (x) got it right on releases earlier than this one, they eschewed simply being mysterious and strange and, frankly, got some funk into it, thanks to core member Barry Smith and the drum work of regular side player Rob Allum. Little Black Rocks In The Sun does what On the Wires couldn't: It maintains interest throughout its length thanks largely to the constant blend of shadowy electronics and slamming beats. Key help came from one of the most underrated skins players out there, Stereolab's groove master Andy Ramsay, credited with both drums and "massed marching drum machines." Only 11 minutes long and consisting solely of the title track, Little starts off with a slow, twinkling keyboard and buried machine beat before great, percussion, which is restrained just enough, fully kicks in, playing perfectly off the drones and alien noises of the various old analog soundmakers that the band have around. Read More