Joakim - Monsters & Silly Songs (!K7)
3/5
By: Gareth Roberts
Joakim is a sort of self titled free-spirit when it comes to his music, a purveyor of abstract musical concoctions, claiming to mix 'hippieness with digital culture, step programming from the eighties with modern sound design'. And who am I to say this is anything but?
'Monsters and Silly Songs' is certainly an interesting record. As 'Monster +1' stirs into life, sounding something like the soundtrack to a dodgy robot movie in a scene where said beings are invading the world, it's clear that we're in for a somewhat peculiar hour of listening. Things continue in a similar vein, yet whilst the songs may be a tad confusing, there is something enjoyable about each one. Whether it be the gentle groove of 'three legged lantern' or the up-tempo 'Lonely Hearts', there is certainly enough to keep you interested on a dreary Sunday afternoon.
It isn't without the odd clanger, 'Monster +2' comprising of what sounds quite literally like a modem dialling up with a bit of scratching thrown in for good measure. 'Rocket Pearl' sounds a bit like Thom Yorke on speed, disjointed and ham-fisted acousto-babble until it finally sets into the kind of disco beat good enough to pack any dancefloor, a highlight for sure.
I can't help but think of this record as the musical equivalent of a jumble sale; there are lots of different aspects, some good, some not so, but you're never far away from uncovering the odd gem. So whilst it's all a bit of a mess, if you're willing to sift around a bit, there are more than a few moments that'll make it all worthwhile.
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