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splendid > reviews > 5/4/2005
Teenage Blackout
Teenage Blackout
Kidmodule1
Brazildisc


Format Reviewed: CD

Soundclip: "KO6WUN"

Buy it at Insound!
Ever wonder what ambient techno composed for babies sounds like? Look no further: Kidmodule1 is exactly that. Designed to soothe and engage the very young and their parents alike, it provides beeps without boundaries, music simple enough for infants yet sophisticated enough for adults -- the electronica version of a Pixar CGI film.

Callahan isn't the first artist to advance such a conceit: Epic released electronic composer Raymond Scott's three-volume Soothing Sounds For Baby back in 1962, and an extended version of Brian Eno's Discreet Music was made available to hospitals for use during childbirth. However, while the process may be somewhat rare -- three records do not constitute a genre -- the result is recognizable as minimalist IDM, a cross between Matmos and The Orb.

Toy piano, samples of Callahan's two-year-old son and various rhythmic synthesizer lines provide a simple atmosphere devoid of melodic motifs and uncluttered by multiple layers of sound. Each track is unique and provides a peaceful soundscape that's perfect for relaxation, reflection and nap time. Callahan plans three additional releases in this series -- perhaps he aims to trump Scott -- and, presumably, possesses infinite patience.



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