Scuba | Personality

Hotflush Recordings (2012)
By MICHAEL C. WALSH  |  March 6, 2012
3.0 3.0 Stars

Scuba

Believe it or not, there still exist some pockets of the globe where dubstep remains sacred, with champions of purism deflecting the ever-tainting mainstream intrusions. A good fight for a proud genre. For much of his existence, Paul Rose was at the forefront of this cause, especially while assuming his most prominent guise. His prior two LPs released as Scuba were among the most critical in forging dubstep's descent into a very dark territory, mostly thanks to their unparalleled incorporation of 4/4 techno. But though it may not be obvious to those not familiar with those prior efforts, Personality finds Rose emerging from those depths, shedding his scowl for something far more exultant. Although there's still a menacing pulse to be found, anything constituting traditional dubstep is largely forgone. Instead we're granted the slick acid stabs of "Ignition Key," the harmonious drum-and-bass of "Cognitive Dissonance," and "NE1BUTU," the album standout, featuring a fancy house groove that could've soundtracked The Grind had it been made in '94. In many regards, these sidesteps pose a loaded question: in an electronic landscape teaming with clones, if a legitimate innovator veers, will the herd be quick to follow? Whatever remains of the sanctity of dubstep may rest in that answer.

SCUBA + BODDIKA @ BASSIC | Good Life, 28 Kingston St, Boston| March 9 @ 9 pm | 21+ | $10 | 617.451.2622 or goodlifebar.com

  Topics: CD Reviews , Music, review, Mike Walsh,  More more >
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