One of the primary reasons I enjoy electronic music is the abundance of artists who appreciate the dedication to the Zen-groove -- that trance-inducing state where the nodding rhythm syncs up with the heart and soul and the mind can drift on clouds of subtle melody. While there are live outfits who are able to successfully attain this nirvana, they seem to be fairly rare. This makes the American Analog Set a precious find. Through the '90s, which collects mostly unreleased material, catches the Texan quintet blissed out on a variety of Zen-grooves. Their songs typically proceed by introducing a mid-tempo beat, over which the band uses repetition to weave dense melodic fabrics. The group never hurries through its songs, but prefers to invoke a mood and explore its possibilities. Dominated by vintage synthesizers, their music has a rich, plush feel, never becoming overly saccharine. In addition, the band knows when to end a song, defty avoiding monotony.
Listening to the album, it is not difficult to catch references to other Zen-groovers. The most obvious of these is "Don't Wake Me (Meow Mix)", which is reworked by Kitty. This track is also one of the album's most interesting tunes because of the way in which it develops from a minor tweaking of the original into a wave of dub with a complex electronic rhythm section. The result would not be out of place on a DJ Shadow disc. "High Fidelity vs. Guy Fidelity" moves like a Cure song, single guitar notes building upon one another to create a grand statement. "Magnificent Seventies" pays homage to flower-power grooves in the same manner that the Stone Roses did. When the track reaches its wordless climax, the moment seems inevitable and natural. On "Living Room Incidental #2 / The Corduroy Kid", the band even harkens back to the Beatles, the first group to introduce the Zen-groove to rock and roll. The snippet "Dr. Pepper" also brings the Fab Four to mind through its backwards tape-loops.
While B-side and rarity collections can be self-indulgent exercises -- let's be honest, most of them blow -- this one actually makes a fine case for the band's pleasing grooves. Gentle and thoughtful, Through the '90s provides an intriguing peek at the inside of a solid band.
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