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https://arabs.bandcamp.com/album/madness-and-magic
Collaborators/Experts Reviews
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
This is Arabs in Aspic's 6th full length album. "Madness and Magic" is really the perfect name for this album as, when I listen to it, it sounds like an excellent progressive sound (which is the Magic), yet it also sounds almost like it is going to fall apart at any time (the Madness). This combination makes for an intriguing listen, not only on the first listen, but also on subsequent listens. I recognize that saying something sounds like "it is going to fall apart at any time" might seem negative, but in this sense, it gives the music a feeling of unpredictability, which to me, is a great thing. But, along with this, the Magic side of the album is that it sounds authentically progressive, borrowing sounds and shades of classic progressive bands while still sound quite relevant and fresh. It is this mix that keeps me coming back to this excellent and well-constructed album. But, unfortunately, there are some issues here, which, from reading the previous reviewer's comments, is an issue that the band has had in the past. This problem stems with the odd lyrics that are sometimes embarrassingly bad. For those listeners that don't put a lot of weight on the lyrics, this might slip by unnoticed, but since lyrics and vocals are quite an important part of the band's music here, it is hard to imagine that the listener would just not notice that. Looking at past ratings for the band's previous albums, each one of them has managed to average at 4 stars. Honestly, this is the first time I have heard this band, though I have heard of them before. The fact that they haven't raised or lowered that score among fellow Archive raters, does concern me a bit, but listening to this album does make me want to explore deeper into their music.
The 6 songs on this album are all "fused" together, each one flowing into the next, almost making this entire endeavor sound like a suite. However, it's obviously not that as each song (except for the two part "Lullaby for Modern Kids") is it's own entity. But through these songs, one things remains constant, excellent composition and well-constructed progressive music, which flows along quite smoothly from drifting, psychedelic passages to melodic sections to heavy and solid riffs. The album definitely has something for everyone, but also seems focused to deliver high-quality music. But it is the instrumental portions of the album that are the best and that stand out the most in the first several listens, and the vocal complexities soon become a more appreciated part of the music as both your ear and mind adjust to the style.
This is an album that will impress most progressive listeners right at the outset. Of course the track that will garner the most interest from the progressive crowd will be the 16+ minute "Heaven in Your Eye", which again is almost perfect, but seems to end a bit lackluster and abruptly, like the song is ready to move on to another section, but instead just quickly fades out. There are a few minor issues like that that seem to keep this album from reaching a 5 star status, but hopefully that doesn't keep anyone from at least giving this album a try. It's not a masterpiece, but it is still quite enjoyable and worthy of 4 stars.
Music by Andreas Tilliander
Mastered by Alex at quiet details studios
Artwork by quiet details in collaboration with Andreas Tilliander
Design by quiet details
© quiet details 2026 all rights reserved
Extremely pleased to say that next in the quiet details series, with an interpretation of immense breadth, is the eminent Swedish producer, Andreas Tilliander, with Lava.
Andreas has been established in the highest echelons of electronica since the late nineties - amassing a vast discography across many leading labels and multiple aliases. Wide-ranging productions under his own name, Morika, TM404, Rechord and many more - on the likes of Kontra Musik, Mille Plateaux, Raster-Noton, Acid Test and his own Repeatle - has proven him time and again to be one of the most important and influential artists of recent years. Essential live performances have served to enforce this legacy.
Lava is Andreas Tilliander at his finest - endlessly experimental and wildly creative expressions, shaped into a sonic excursion of mind-expanding distinction.
As he says, this is “An exploration of southern Sweden - light, memory, and open landscapes.” And we can feel this from the very first second.
Deeply atmospheric from the start, submerged locational recordings intertwine with gradually evolving synths - creating an introduction that lays out the beginning of the path into this beautifully constructed album.
Trademark acidic pulses emerge through the clouds as the music continues on unabated, and from there we’re led by the hand through the emotions Andreas elicits from his surroundings.
His mastery of his machines is total - analogue richness, digital grunge - recordings from many sources manipulated into fascinating collages - all meld into a cohesive whole by the immense creative vision he possesses.
At times vivid and luminescent, and others dark and meditative - always profoundly reflective - this is an album of vast contemplation, perfectly executed by a master of his form.
As Andreas says:
Recorded primarily with samplers, some shitty synthesizers, field recordings from Hässleholm, old VHS tapes, and the quiet electricity of Skåne.
Special thanks to the fields and roads of Vinslöv, Vankiva, and Hässleholm. To the shores of Åhusfältet and the streets that shaped everything. Thank you for the crystal clarity, the glow, the light, and the stillness.
Street Wise. Vinslöv. Vankiva. Hässleholm.
I feel crystal clear.
Huge thanks to Andreas, a stunning addition to the series.
The artwork was made as always influenced by the music and idea behind the album - originating from a photo from Andreas which was then captured with analogue photography and processed here at quiet details studios.
As usual, the album is presented on the physical edition, a custom six-panel digipack with a separate fine art print too.
The CD also has a special long-form continuous mix of the album, unique and representing the music in its purest form.
repeatle.bandcamp.com
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