Anti EP
Anti EP is the second EP by British electronic music duo Autechre,[3] released by Warp on 3 September 1994.[1] It peaked at number 90 on the UK Singles Chart,[4] as well as number 39 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.[5] It is the only explicitly political record Autechre have released.[6]
Anti EP | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | 3 September 1994[1] | |||
Genre | IDM[2] | |||
Length | 24:40 | |||
Label | Warp WAP55 | |||
Producer | Autechre | |||
Autechre chronology | ||||
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Background
Anti EP was a protest against the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which would prohibit raves (described as gatherings where music is played), with "music" being defined as a "succession of repetitive beats."[7] Sean Booth explained the band's strategy for the song "Flutter" by saying, "We made as many different bars as we could on the drum machine, then strung them all together."[7]
The packaging bore a sticker with a disclaimer about the repetitive nature of the rhythmic elements of "Lost" and "Djarum".[8] "Flutter" was programmed to have non-repetitive beats and therefore "can be played at both forty five and thirty three revolutions under the proposed law"; but following their disclaimer, it was advised that DJs "have a lawyer and a musicologist present at all times to confirm the non repetitive nature of the music in the event of police harassment."[8] The sticker acted as a seal, which was required to be broken in order to access the media enclosed in the packaging.[8]
The profits from this release went to the political pressure group Liberty.[9] The sticker ended with this last statement: "Autechre is politically non-aligned. This is about personal freedom."[9]
Despite "Flutter"'s ability to be played at 33 1/3 RPM and 45 RPM on vinyl, the CD version contains the song as played at 45 RPM.[8]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [10] |
Ken Tataki of AllMusic gave the EP 4 stars out of 5, saying, "Beyond a doubt, this is an excellent showcase not only for the band, but also for the label that signed them."[10] Writing for Fact in 2013, Maya Kalev called the EP "a continued reminder of dance music's extra-linguistic and innate potential for subversion."[6] In 2014, Fact placed "Flutter" at number 1 on their list of the "100 greatest IDM tracks".[2]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Sean Booth and Rob Brown
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Lost" | 7:24 |
2. | "Djarum" | 7:19 |
3. | "Flutter" | 9:57 |
Total length: | 24:40 |
References
- "Anti". Warp. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- "The 100 greatest IDM tracks". Fact. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- Johnston, Chris (27 July 2012). "The Crate: Anti EP by Autechre". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100: 09 October 1994 – 15 October 1994". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- "Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40: 09 October 1994 – 15 October 1994". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- Kalev, Maya (2 September 2013). "The genius of Autechre in 13 essential tracks". Fact. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- Gallivan, Joseph (19 July 1994). "Joseph Gallivan on pop". The Independent. London, England. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- Khal (13 August 2014). "10 Singles You Should Own on Vinyl: Autechre – "Anti" EP". Complex. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- Pattison, Louis (21 July 2014). "How the Political Warning of Autechre's Anti EP Made it a Warp Records Classic". Vice. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
- Tataki, Ken. "Anti- – Autechre". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
External links
- Anti EP at the official Warp discography (features audio clips)
- Anti EP at Discogs (list of releases)