Originally written by Adam Anonymous · 19 April 2003
Max Tundra
Cabasa
Label: Domino Records Release Date: 19/04/2003
Nine times outta ten, Max Tundra is one of those frustrating entities who – while you listen at least – gives off waves of utter untouchable brilliance. Switch the CD player off, however, and you may struggle to remember a single note.
And perhaps herein lies the reason why Ben Jacobs – who incidentally, and somewhat disconcertingly, looks a little like Kid606 – has never hit the big time his considerable talent should merit.
There’s no shortage of human emotion on display throughout ‘Cabasa’ – your patience four and a half minutes in is rewarded with some crazed piano and equally unhinged vocal chattering. Certainly it’s the strangest seven minutes to materialise as a single this, and probably any other, year.
B-side ‘Coming Up’, meanwhile, is the likely conclusion of Sparklehorse inheriting a drill n bass backing band; squeaky tones over almost random electronic splattering.
Previous single ‘Lysine’ was an exception to the general Max Tundra rule with its instant feel-good sheen. But here Ben, you’re merely good when you should be great.
• 6 Adam Anonymous's Score