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8.0
48561
8.0 |
The Skinny
Instrumental Tourist will provide connoisseurs of resonant, emotional machine music with myriad psychic landscapes to explore
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8.0
48618
8.0 |
The Observer
The record is built from swatches of sound, ripped, stitched and ruptured into radiophonic disharmony
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8.0
48825
8.0 |
The Quietus
Hecker and Lopatin have struck upon a secret chord, traced sacred geometries, and laid a foundation sturdy enough to build upon
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8.0
49020
8.0 |
All Music
Lopatin and Hecker take the sounds in their intentionally limited palette to places they may never have been expected to go, and the journey is intriguing and frequently lovely
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8.0
49096
8.0 |
Mojo
If the initial experience challenges, long-term exposure unfurls Instrument Tourists's full beauty. Print edition only
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7.5
48985
7.5 |
Pitchfork
An enjoyable detour, one that affirms how well these producers have honed their approaches to sound
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7.5
49414
7.5 |
Under The Radar
This is music that needs to be felt rather than simply heard
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7.2
48564
7.2 |
Bowlegs
Perhaps lacking some of the emotional impact of Lopatin’s aesthetic, it’s a celebration of common strengths rather than a seamless blend. For a masterclass in contemporary ambient sound collage you could do worse than look here
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7.0
48945
7.0 |
Spin
The whole thing is almost deceptively pretty
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7.0
49175
7.0 |
Beats Per Minute
It’s pleasant, unsurprisingly enough, in both its sonic direction and minimal production, but it lacks the sense of overwhelming purpose usually found on both artists’ solo records
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7.0
48741
7.0 |
Drowned In Sound
They’re not concerned with clunky subgenres or fitting into anyone’s neat little boxes. With Instrumental Tourist, it is what it is
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7.0
48742
7.0 |
No Ripcord
Offers more proof that these two are undisputed masters in their field, regardless of how necessary a collaborative effort like this really is anyway
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7.0
48562
7.0 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Instrumental Tourist might not be the best primer for either artist’s work – you’ll have to get that pure from their respective source – but it’s comparatively unique and charming as an ambient album not content with being meek and mild
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7.0
48563
7.0 |
Uncut
As sublime as much of Instrumental Tourist is, it rarely fulfills that promise of improvisation, of a real sonic engagement or play, and struggles to exceed the sum of its parts
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6.0
48619
6.0 |
The Fly
This is a missed opportunity, but it’s commendable that when both parties are not at their strongest the results can still satisfy
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6.0
48696
6.0 |
DIY
There are enough fragments of warped interference to ensure this is a worthy collaboration albeit one which doesn’t entirely muscle up to the canon of its individual progenitor
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6.0
48758
6.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
Could have benefited from more calculation and an emphasis on the things that have paid dividends for these guys in the past.
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6.0
48944
6.0 |
PopMatters
Given the right setting and mindset, your first few trips or vacations with Hecker and Lopatin can prove immensely enjoyable
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