Band Review :: Photek

Band Review :: Photek
Posted :: Jul 7, 2004 by Haggs

Article Author: Kompact
Artist: Photek
Genre: Drum 'n' Bass
Location: U.K.
Best Album: Solaris

While listening to the album Solaris by Photek you will be thrown into a vast and mysterious world. This album comes from Britain, a place that’s literally been bursting at the seams with electronic artists. Solaris is by far one of the best Drum n’ Bass albums you will ever hear. The music sounds like it's performed by a group of people, but this music is actually created by one man, Photek, a.k.a Rupert Parkes.

The sounds on the album Solaris are drum lines that are unique to Photek. He creates many other worldly trance sounds, like on the song "halogen." There are vocals by various singers, including the famous house singer Robert Owens, along with other sounds which I can’t even begin to describe. Photek's sounds seem very separate from each other when heard individually, but when put together, they are no longer such separate sounds. They fit together perfectly to create the unity that is heard on Solaris. One thing that I’ve only heard Photek accomplish is making a trance-like and haunting song at the same time, which produces that other worldly vibe that I love listening to. The beats on the album never get old, because each time you listen to it, you hear something new that you didn’t hear before. You will never hear two songs that sound even remotely alike.

Photek also isn’t afraid to try new things on his songs. Each song on the album is like an experiment. Solaris is not only Drum n’ Bass. It also has two house tracks and a few trance tracks as well. His debut album, Modus Operandi was more about Drum n’ Bass and sticking with what works. Solaris, however, reaches out to new ideas and allows Photek to become a better overall artist. Isn’t that what making music is about, constantly thinking of new ways to create music? Photek sure thinks so, and he shows it in Solaris.

Album cover for Solaris, Photek's more popular album.

Album cover for Photek's debut album, Modus Operandi.

Photek's music is overall relaxing and great for listening to when you are trying to be inspired. There is never a dull moment in his music. He isn’t afraid to incorporate new ideas in his songs. The album Solaris is meant to be listened to as an entire album, not just song by song, because the whole album captures one moment in music history that is unforgettable. Are you ready for the Photek: Solaris experience?

Thanks to Absolute Insight member Kompact for writing this article.