(Freefall Records/MRA)

It is always exciting to hear new Australian electronic music.  We are developing such a reputation overseas for original music and quality production that it has raised the standard for all musicians and producers around the country.  In terms of cutting it with the world’s finest, this is a fairly good introductory EP from Brisbane duo, Statler and Waldorf.  Collusions features five tracks that incorporate a bit of hip hop, groove, breakbeat and even some drum & bass and electro tech sounds.  It is a well produced EP, which assumingly is intended to display their versatility at creating laid-back tunes as well as heavy beats.

The first track Bass Buffer is a laid-back funky track, which incorporates hip hop beats and features the vocals of Blue MC.  As with all of Statler and Waldorf’s tracks, it is very well-produced and incorporates some interesting samples.  Bass Buffer has received airplay on Triple J and although it’s not that original sounding, it is a good track.  Track two of the EP is a remix of Paul Kelly’s So Fine.  The remix keeps the original folk feel intact but adds a groovier sound to it.  It is a nice laid-back track that again, is well produced, even if the ‘groove’ does feel a little dated.

City featuring the vocals of Miss Brown seems to move closer towards the sound Statler and Waldorf sit most comfortably.  It has an industrial, gritty sound to it which includes hip hop samples and gradually builds up by incorporating subtle electronic sounds. Byrne includes more vocals from Miss Brown and is a dark drum & bass number, which includes broken-up vocals and interesting synth sounds.  This is such a good original track that I can foresee some very cool dance floor remixes being generating from it.  Andronovavirus is the fifth and final track, which includes dark breakbeats and tech sounds and a dark synth melody. 

I’ve never seen Statler and Waldorf play live but I’ve heard they mix live synths and vocals and play their heavier, darker beats.  This makes sense because Andronovavirus and Byrne are definitely the highlights of the EP.  The first two tracks although fairly good, are just not quite as fresh sounding and lack the same impact.

All in all a good EP; I’m looking forward to hearing more from Statler and Waldorf, particularly their upcoming vinyl releases.