Demonstration Tape (1997–2007) - Solvent

Demonstration Tape (1997–2007)

Solvent [Ghostly International]

#13 in this month's The 20

• Written by: Terry Church
• Filed under: The 20: ghostly international solvent

Borne out of a period of continued inactivity on Suction Records — the primary label home for Solvent — the time has come for an anthology.

The Toronto, Ontario-based artist also known as Jason Amm, after all, had been highly engaged with the label for quite some time along with fellow artist Lowfish, and after several other distractions, it was time to put the label to bed.

After creating the last bit of new material through a web-exclusive EP ‘Now We Are Dead’, this anthology soon followed.

Having released music through the self-proclaimed “avant pop” enthusiasts Ghostly International in the past, re-releasing the anthology on a grander scale by the label seems to be the natural conclusion.

‘Demonstration Tape’ becomes a study in the production of electronic pop, and a reminder of the wide influence in that area that Solvent has had.

Toronto is an unsuspecting exporter of this type of action in much the same way that ‘My Radio’ is a surprisingly accessible theory book in utilizing electronics to full melodic advantage.

Or in the way that ‘Wish’ is the sentimental love song (even if it is nearly undecipherable though the vocoded vocals) that could never be expected from the electronic music realm.

The tracks aren’t nearly as dark as some of their titles suggest, such as ‘An Introduction To Ghosts’ and ‘Creepy Crawler’. (The second cut, it should be mentioned, happens to serve as one of the release’s three previously unreleased gems.)

Instead, there is a certain light-heartedness captured on each of the collection’s 27 tracks.

Contrary to the state of Suction Records, by no means is ‘Demonstration Tape’ the end of an artist.

Judging from the elevated grasp of musicality involved, we expect to welcome further outings in electronic pop as only a decade plus of experience can produce

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