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Critic Reviews
82
For anyone who has ever fantasized about dissolving into the dancefloor, the debut solo album from techno artist Sam Barker is as close as it gets.
6y
Probably the best use of reverb on a record to come out these last few years. Things bounce, hit the walls and come right back at you. Pads fade in and out of existence, leaving a shadow behind that wobbles about with life of its own.
Just press those headphones onto your eardrums, shut the curtains and let Barker warp you into the 5th dimension.
Now this is some great shit! Barker’s Utility is a great Ambient Techno album blending in Ambient Dub and Ambient Trance. And honestly this is one of the coolest Ambient Techno albums I’ve heard, not the best but it’s definitely very different from what I’m used to in the genre. Barker’s production on here is some incredibly unique and well textured stuff in the genre. The soundscapes and reverb on here usually perfectly compliment the beats on here. Realistically ... read more
blissful beats. Unique sound that stands out among the ambient techno scene. Thoroughly enjoy this project every time I listen.
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Track List
| 1 | Paradise Engineering 4:09 | 89 |
| 2 | Posmean 3:54 | 73 |
| 3 | Experience Machines 3:40 | 80 |
| 4 | Gradients of Bliss 5:29 | 82 |
| 5 | Hedonic Treadmill 4:10 | 76 |
| 6 | Models of Wellbeing 6:04 | 81 |
| 7 | Utility 4:31 | 82 |
| 8 | Wireheading 2:20 | 66 |
| 9 | Die-Hards of the Darwinian Order 9:08 | 80 |
Total Length: 43 minutes
Year End Lists
| #1 | / | Mixmag |
| #3 | / | DJ Mag |
| #6 | / | Magnetic |
| #8 | / | Dummy |
| #9 | / | Bleep |
| #11 | / | The Vinyl Factory |
| #12 | / | The A.V. Club |
| #18 | / | OOR |
| #18 | / | The Quietus |
| #43 | / | Crack Magazine |
| #47 | / | Pitchfork |
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