Aim - 'Hinterland' (Grand Central)
4/5
By: Toby L
One major criticism about one-man beats-collectives and their records is that they often monotonously churn out the same format for a whole hour, without leaving anything remarkable in the listener's head apart from thoughts on whether the CD should be destroyed via melting it on the fire, or having it smashed to smithereens through the precision usage of a sledge-hammer. Yet, occasionally, along come special things, such as Four Tet's astounding LP of 2001, 'Pause', not to mention 2002's possible entrant into the Hall of Solo-Artist Class - Aim, AKA Andy Turner, with his second album, 'Hinterland'.
This 13-track, almost dead-on 60-minute collection of sounds form a work of musical art that's so exquisitely subtle yet at the same time absorbing that it could serve as either the ideal music for a party or a casual record to play in the background whilst you do other things - all dependent on your mood. For, essentially, Aim is successful at evoking 'moods', casting impressions and stirring up visual imagery, all in the secure vacuum of one's mind.
The involving nature of the LP between listener and artist begins almost at once in 'The Girl Who Fell Through The Ice', with a lock-you-in performance from Canadian vocalist Kate Rogers, whose effortless humming vocals intersperse with repetitive, though entirely infectious, drums and bass. It's a stark contrast from the rest of the record, which mainly comprises feel-good - and refreshingly clean - hip-hop, notably within 'No Restriction' (complete with a collaboration from Souls of Mischief), trip-hop rhythms and vibes - such as the Portishead-tinged 'Linctus' - and contemporary soul, as provided from Stephen Jones in highlight, 'Good Disease'.
Aside from this, lurking nearer the end is the sublime 'A Twilight Zone' - the first time you ever hear the guy behind it all singing; it's a wonder why it took so long, what with Turner owning such a genuinely wonderful and soothing tonal range. Amidst other things, acoustic guitars, a warm and sturdy pace, plus a reassuringly welcoming arrangement is what glides you through this to the end title-track, whose almost sinister twist, yet heated atmosphere at the same time, leaves you wanting to hear it all over again.
Whether or not others are currently making this kind of sound, at least you can sit back and know that eclecticism, shimmering ideas and talent can creep together and form the perfect soundtrack for virtually every situation - and that lies within 'Hinterland' from Aim. Now, let's just wait and watch the imitators work their magic...
Artists in this article: Aim
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