German electric house duo Walter Merziger and Arno Kammermeier, also known as Booka Shade, released their fourth studio album, Eve, a turn away from more experimental, creative leaps on songs such as "Night Falls" and "Body Language (Interpretations)" that have secured Booka Shade a top spot in electronic music's repertoire. The title, a direct reference to our biblical Adam's counterpart, is a smart move, if one imagines Eve herself ditching the garden of Eden to go out clubbing. Look at the album art--there's light pouring out of this cartoon's crown chakra as a signal of enlightenment. This newer work, a classic house album, is more languid than full of prowess and vigor as their previous albums might suggest.
For instance, "Many Rivers" as an opener uses one of the most dreaded sounds, the cheesy, lingering saxophone drawl, that's saved by a throbbing banger serving as the pulse of the track. "Kalimera" begins with saturated piano chords that are used in countless house tracks. There's nothing wrong with drawing from classic sources of sound, it depends on how they are used, and within these samples from the first half, they lack transformation. "Love Inc." is a growing sunrise of synths that pans out into alert and sinuous trumpets. "Leema" is the squelching rise of a swamp monster that kicks bass, crying for help. Both "Maifield" and "Perfect Time" use deep distorted synths and fuller, exotic drums.
The second half of Eve features savable tracks such as "Time's On My Side," opening with echoing wood block kicks and bow guitar, that fuse together in majestic, rolling pleasantry. The guitar drives the rest of the track. "Crossing Borders (ft. Fritz Kalkbrenner)" uses vibrating synths and features Kalkbrenner's urgent and slightly feminine vocals. "Love Drug (ft. Fritz Helder)" drawls on over clamoring sleigh bells. Booka Shade ends the album with three more experimental tracks. "Only When You Wake Up" is a wavering, silky song with shooting synths punching the rhythm onward. It's glitchy, and reminiscent of Crystal Castles' jerky rhythms. "Ballad Of The East" plays with the sound of church bells as they weave up and into the pattern of foreign chatter. "Jesolo" runs similarly, featuring an arhythmic glockenspiel and ending in an anxious and rushing bombastic conclusion. Even though Booka Shade has chosen a more classic and minimal approach to their latest work, their former, enlightening and experimental work is missed.
Grade: C-
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