Accordingly, it takes a CD in that genre to be a bit different to make me sit up and take notice, which is exactly what I did about three seconds after I slapped Sim01 's RADIOPHONIC ODDITY into the player. The opening track, "Twilight," is like the background music to a nightmare. The track features samples from the original Twilight Zone episode, "Where is Everybody" ---a classic last man on earth scenario --- and the hyperkinetic beats subtly increase the tension. There is no danger of this one being lost in the shuffle, even if the poor bastard running around screaming "somebody help me!" is. Things level off a bit with the somewhat pedestrian "Bring Me," but what is noteworthy here is that Sim01's compositions have a beginning, middle, and ending, rather than sounding as if someone left some dust on the CD. He accordingly has some respect for his audience; he apparently assumes from the getgo that not everyone is tripped out on ecstasy or the whatever the flavor of the day is, and can handle a little changeup along with the beats. This holds true with the hyperbeats of "Noontime,"which makes interesting use of dynamics and changeups which flow almost flawlessly into each other. While occasionally Sim 01 goes a bit overboard --- parts of "Cyclotron" sound uncannily like the droning of an intergalactic refrigerator with a 300 year old compressor--- he for the most part reins in whatever excesses he may be tempted to unleash. The most intriguing cut on the CD, however besides "Twilight," is "Gristle," wherein Sim01 samples, I swear to God, Celtic music with what sounds to be Nine Inch Nails. In the hands of a lesser dj., this would have been as out of place ---and as unwelcome--- as Boy George at a Boy Scout Jamboree. Sim 01, however, makes it flow, though the listeners will undoubtedly be awhile picking their jaws up from the dance floor the first few times through. What unifies this CD, however, is Sim01's incredible stereo mix, which somehow manages to add an extra speaker in the middle of the listener's head, particularly on "Against the Wall" and "Mentor." The latter, especially, is a haunting track which will be replaying in your head long after you've washed the day out of your head.

Sim01 was recently able to pick up national distribution of RADIOPHONIC ODDITY. This is a good thing. This work needs, and deserves, to be heard in places outside of the confines of the clubs and warehouses. I was going to give my copy of it to my 19 year old, but to heck with him. I'm keeping it. Let him buy his own. Highly recommended.