VERT
some
beans and an octopus (Sonig Records)
Raise the curtains: Ladies and gentlemen, what
a find! And what a change! VERT, aka Adam Butler, Brit in
exile and Cologne resident by choice, has been a reliable
entity when it comes to multilayered electronica, rich instrumental
arrangements and delightful experimentation. Three years have
now gone by since the release of his last album, small
pieces loosely joined. During this time Vert played various
festivals, founded a new live project with DJ Elephant Power
and the bass player Fedor Ruskuc, and above all, spent much
time producing. He’s never been predictable, but no
one thought he would reinvent himself so completely with
some beans and an octopus. You could blame it on the
break-in into Butler’s studio two years ago when all
of his equipment, including computer back-ups, were stolen.
Vert simply had to start all over again and he used this producer’s
nightmare to his advantage.
Recent music history holds quite a few examples of tepid pop
efforts by musicians with an experimental background. How
wonderfully successful it has turned out for Vert, however,
who remains very conscious of his own musical origins. This
man isn’t breaking any new boundaries, but producing
a kind of music that already had its inherent roots in his
previous work. Butler’s use of piano as the main instrument,
complex grooves, strange sounds and unpredictable changes,
are all still there. However, some significant elements have
been added, most obvious are the vocals. Almost every track
on some beans... features vocals; and it is Adam who sings
like he’s never done anything else. His tracks appear
taut and compact, as if clear structures emerged by themselves
out of the vocals with sometimes quirky, clever or poetic
lyrics.
On some beans... Adam Butler decidedly stands by
his great love, Ragtime. He doesn’t use it affectedly,
but to simply mix it with hip-hop, Grime and many other musical
styles. Everything on this album fits in so naturally that
the different styles flash through only briefly, like a quick
wink from an old passing acquaintance. There is the odd piano
bar rag that mutates into a club hit, and vice versa. But
above all, despite all this diversity within these ideas and
references, Vert still remains very clear. The fact that he
doesn’t seek refuge in the vague and blurry while still
managing to say all he wants to say is quite an achievement.
Instead he delivers a great performance in which bizarre episodes
condense into glamorous songs.
some beans... is great fun because it is so laid-back
while being competent, sophisticated and sexy. When we talked
about Vert’s last LP release we praised the end of separation
between acoustic and electronic production methods. When we
listen to some beans and an octopus this rather sounds
like a statement from a previous era. We praise the delightful
merger of cabaret, experimental, hip-hop and club Adam Butler
manages so organically. He has written wonderfully catchy,
funny and exciting songs, and they raise their heads high
above all this talk about pop music with experimental influence.
They are simply musical fireworks which sparkle and bedazzle,
and you wouldn’t want to miss a second.
back to top
|
