Title: Angels of Analog
Artist: Fektion Fekler
Genre: Industrial
Release Date: 30th November 2007
Label: Klangdynamik Records
Introduction
Though they were already founded in 1989, the first regular album of the project FEKTION FEKLER ‘From here to Heaven’ was released about seven years later in 1996 but it wasn’t the first musical output of the two brothers Robert and John Bustamante. They appeared on various compilations and released a tape entitled ‘Distressed Tension’ and an EP called ‘Soul Assassin’. The second album ‘Kling Klang Bedlam’ followed in 1998 on which the brothers developed their style further, incorporating more layers and melodic elements. After a time span of 6 years in which John signed with another label and released a record called ‘The people undone’ under the alias Moksha, which is a term for salvation or deliverance in Hinduism and Buddhism. 2004 saw the release of the next album ‘Into the Sun’ which was in fact a double album. The recently released album ‘Angels of Analog’ is a sort of Best-of compilation and will be the definitely last release of the project.
Members
Robert Bustamante - Electronics, Acoustics
John Bustamante - Vocals
Website
http://www.fektionfekler.net/ / http://www.myspace.com/fketionfekler
Track Review
01. Limpic - 5:08
A disturbing sequence of noises starts the track which is broken by melancholic strings a few seconds later. But the noises won’t fully disappear and turn out to be manipulated vocal parts in the end. But then the melodies take over the full control of the scenery and a jingling melodic riff together with an angelic female choir appears. A wonderful atmosphere accrues. Drums emerge and as the last new element the manipulated vocals fade in. they’re almost drowning in the dense ambience.
02. Immortal Faith - 5:41
…begins with a reverberated speech sample followed by deep strings before a multi-layered and very rhythmic drum programming makes you nod with your head. The specialty of this song is the use of live vocals without any overdubbing. That’s brilliant considering the track being made in 1995. This has scarcity value as I can’t recall any project doing live vocals in electronic music lately.
03. The Dowser that couldn’t Dowse - 4:02
The title may seem funny but has a serious background. It was named in the honour of a probably 80 years old guy featured in a show that tried to dispel thee method of water dowsing, where the old man should find cans of water hidden underground. He found 1 of 20 in the end so the title came into existence. The track itself is quite danceable and comes up with those nice spherical synth layers again.
04. Diabolic Changes - 5:54
…really does its name justice as the vocals are so heavily manipulated and distorted, so they really sound kind of diabolic. These vocals are embedded in a mixture of diverse sounds including a jingling synth line, which is audible all the way through the track and is also the leading melodic element accompanied by casual appearing orchestral synths and a driving drum programming
05. Take it all - 6:16
The track has something for everyone. A quite complex drum programming and those who are more into the melodies will surely be pleased by the enormous amount of melodic layers in the track. In between you can hear a guitar solo now and then. I’m still not sure if it’s sampled or not.
06. Sinsa - 5:20
We’re getting a bit more balladry on that one. It has a pretty stately temp but that that doesn’t simultaneously mean the great drumming. But the melodies clearly play the dominating part here so get carried away on that floating stream of ambience
07. Topp Ramen - 2:16
Two contrasting moods have been mixed up here. On one hand we have these happy and light melodies and on the other hand we have the chant radiating sadness and wistfulness. As odd as this combination is it works.
08. God I’m Sick - 3:53
Actually this is not a track of FEKTION FEKLER but one of those Robert did for his project Moksha but in any case it’s a truly beautiful ballad with lots of atmosphere. I also like the different clean vocals of the singer very much
09. Sunsky - 3:58
Now it’s getting a bit more rhythmic again but what’s more interesting is what’s happening in the track as lots of different noises appear and the guys make heavy use of an organ synth instead of using those ambient-like atmospheres.
10. Generations - 5:24
At first listen I could have sworn that some of the vocals were done by a woman but I turned out to be wrong as it was still John singing just a ‘bit’ different. The track itself is arranged very straight and danceable but makes use of diverse drum synths and the well known atmospheres.
11. Shakedown - 4:58
A nice bass line and some hi-hats, almost sounding like live recorded function as an introduction. Then the beat starts and the chant starts which is for most of the time processed with reverberation and it’s hard to understand a word. The melodic elements which usually take the leading role are used more subtle.
12. Anarchy of Separation - 6:12
There it’s again. This feeling of melancholy and this sense for melodies that is so characteristic for the sound of this project, combined with a diverse drumming and a very emotional chant screaming desperation and pain out to the world
13. Good Day - 2:11
Unfortunately this track is much too short at least 5 minutes would have been great but you can’t have everything. It’s a wonderful ballad driven by the piano fused with atmospheric layers and a clean chant spreading a feeling of sadness.
14. it’s Over - 4:12
It’s a song about heartache and it differs quite a lot from what you’ve heard before. Very subtle drum programming with a great acoustic guitar line and sometimes the piano appears as well to accompany the wistful vocals.
15. Addict’s Lullaby - 3:33
Expect another ballad here this time actually featuring female vocals provided by Robert’s wife Lori. No drums this time therefore lots of atmosphere. Just close your eyes and get carried away.
16. Wiser for the Winter - 6:10
A feeling of goodbye is sneaking into this song. The leading piano melody and the stately tempo only add to intensify that feeling. Some samples are used through the song and of course many of those orchestral strings and sustained layers re-appear here as well
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9
Conclusion
Well, that’s it the last release of a band that was ahead of its time. Maybe it was too early to really get successful with that so called ‘Angelic Industrial’. Every song displays an extraordinary sense for melody and atmosphere and skills in drum programming. They created great dance sings as well as emotional and touching ballads. With this collection you get a good overview of the work of the two brothers from Texas.
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