Two new albums reviewed by Jim Carroll

VARIOUS

An Taobh Tuathail, Volume II

Psychonavigation

Cian Ó Cíobháin's radio show has given us late-night electronic and ambient conversations on Radio na Gaeltachta since 1999. The second compilation of tunes from the playlists sees Ó Cíobháin setting out his stall for the show in a way which might very well bring in new listeners.

While the nightly radio show often loses some of its dynamic by dithering too far from its remit in search of kicks, this compilation's strength comes from the cohesion and composure of the track selection. The ties that bind Chequerboardto Cane 141, Boxcutterto Murcof, or Colleento L Pierreare made all the more obvious in this context.

An Taobh Tuathail, Volume II, then, is a compilation forging a naturally blissful sort of sonic alliance. www.myspace.com/antaobhtuathail

JIM CARROLL

Download tracks: Colleen, Sun Against My Eyes, Cane 141, Disco Toys, L Pierre, Weirs Way

MAX TUNDRA

Parallax Error Beheads You

Domino

Ben Jacobs attributes the six-year gap between albums to his perfectionism. That rings true as you begin to get your head around Parallax Errors.

Previous albums from Jacobs (such as Mastered by Guy at the Exchange), have been chockablock with idiosyncratic electronic mischief-making, if sometimes leftfield and self-conscious. On this occasion, though, the arm-wrestling results in textures that are chaotic, colourful, intricate and largely uninhibited.

The poppy drag on Will Get Fooled Again, for instance, is a wow. Jacobs splices flourishes and flicks into something distinct and precise. Likewise, Orphanedhas the producer throwing micro-shapes to create a wonderful cascade of rhythms and beats. You could spend hours analysing the joins, but best concentrate on the bigger picture.

www.maxtundra.com

JIM CARROLL

Download tracks: Will Get Fooled Again, Orphaned