Album Review: Kode9 - Nothing
By Van Williams, Contributor
[Hyperdub; 2015]
Rating: 2.5/5
Key Tracks: “Third Ear Transmission,” “Zero Worked”
There are so many amazing things to be said about Steve Goodman, the man behind Kode9, but despite Goodman’s many talents and achievements, Nothing is just an okay album. Kode9 is a London based electronic artist, inspired by the “hardcore continuum” of British dance music.
Before first listen, this record was briefly described to me as “creepy library music.” This is not entirely false. However, with all of the chimes, crazy effects and fast paced drum loops, it sounds to me like the listener is being chased through a labyrinth. Nothing doesn’t seem to be based on songs so much as it does layers; the layout or feel of the record seems to change every seven or eight minutes, like you’re advancing to the next level of a videogame. All of this may sound exciting if game-tailored or background music is what you like to listen to. But for most people, Kode9 will probably be something to break up the gaps of whatever their normal genre preference is.
The most exciting part of Nothing falls in the middle, oddly enough. “Third Ear Transmission” broke away from the record’s first part with some odd monologue, but it gets your attention. Shortly after are the two best tracks off of the record, “Zero Work” and “Vacuum Packed.” After this the album drops pace a little bit but doesn’t become too boring or monotonous. The final track was a bit of a let down, clocking in at 10 minutes, I expected an epic of sorts, but was instead greeted with over five minutes of static. Such is life.
