Early Output 1996-1998 by Fridge
LABEL: Temporary Residence

It's fun to actually hear a band finding their sound. This release of Fridge's earliest songs provides just that—a chance to hear three musicians jamming in a basement and finding their voice. And what a voice that is; with Sam Jeffers holding it down in the rhythm department, multi-instrumentalist Adem Ilhan and electronics wizard Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) create weird, funky sonic landscapes that are at once experimental and accessible. But the best part about this album is that you can really hear the band playing with each other. Frequently Ilhan's bass or guitar and Hebden's electronics are so tightly intertwined that it is hard to tell which is which. The fact that you're able to actually hear the collaborative process in this music gives this album a wonderfully organic feel—something that most electronic-heavy music is decidedly lacking.

REVIEWED BY PHIL BABCOCK