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| Polydistortion | 
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| Artist: Gus Gus
Label: 4AD
Category: Music
List Price: $17.99
Buy New: $11.03
You Save: $6.96 (39%)
New (7) Used (10) Collectible (1) from $5.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  33 reviews
Sales Rank: 376149
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
EAN: 5014436700521
ASIN: B000024JEO
Publication Date: 1997
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: ships now first class! all our items are gauranteed!
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| Tracks:
| • | Oh - Gus Gus, Agust, Daniel | | • | Gun - Gus Gus, Agust, Daniel | | • | Believe - Gus Gus, Agust, Daniel | | • | Polyesterday - Gus Gus, Agust, Daniel | | • | Barry - Gus Gus, Jonsson, Magnus | | • | Cold Breath '79 - Gus Gus, Kjartansson, Siggi | | • | Why? - Gus Gus, Jonsson, Magnus | | • | Remembrance - Gus Gus, Jonsson, Magnus | | • | Is Jesus Your Pal? - Gus Gus, Slowblow | | • | Purple - Gus Gus, Thorarinsson, Biggi | | • | Polybackwards - Gus Gus, |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Gus Gus create a multi-vibe stir with Polydistortion. At times as cold and icy as their frosty homeland (Iceland), at other times a rumbling volcano of pyrotechnic rhythms, the CD is a study in the dynamics of the electronic. Atmospheric without ever being boring, Gus Gus rely on soul-filled or breathy vocals to turn their compositions into some of the more interesting and accessible aural amalgamations ever committed to disc. "Believe" is a rhythmic juggernaut, while "Gun" is a moody study of beats and texture. "Why" is particularly stunning, a sparse torch song carried along by a Fender Rhodes-style piano line. More eclectic than electronica, Gus Gus make aural sculptures out of rhythm. --Steve Gdula
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| Customer Reviews: Read 28 more reviews...
 ambience unmatched April 29, 2000
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
the more i listen to this album, the more i absolutely love it. there is a certain innocent tone that engulfs the compositions, making this a highly complex, yet accessible work of art. gus gus were obviously noticed because of the hype that surrounded their friend and like-minded neighbor, bjork, but their talents deserve attention with or without her. this album, polydistortion, is an insanely addictive electronic masterpiece that jumps from one sub-genre to another by fusing each song structure's theme with tripped out electronics and lush, seductive, musically intelligent chord progressions and arrangements. While the songs with driving beats have brought about the most attention, I fell in love with the more ambient and sexy tracks like the unforgettable "why?". This song is a simple electronic piano and vocal arrangement that has soul just bursting out of the seams. Polyesterday is another favorite, featuring a very cool bassline and smart lyrics. Overall, the ambience of the record as a whole is unmatched by anything gus gus has done recently. (though i love 'this is normal', i feel polydistortion is superior in many respects.) for a truly significant electronic masterpiece of the 1990's, pick this beauty up.
This IS the better of their two albums, January 7, 2000
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
I was really impressed with this album. I can't tell you how many times I passed it up at the store too, because I just wasn't sure. I've been burned many times in the past taking chances on bands I'd scarcely heard. I hit gold on this one. I cycled through all the tracks the first time I played it trying to not get my hopes up. I had actually purchased "this is normal" first. I like this album more. In fact I love this album. The song Polydistortion it's self is a total groove that will keep some part of you body moving it's entire 6+ min. length. Theres only really one track on here I pass, and thats track 5. The last track "purple" is an unbelievably beautiful techno song that has the ability to put you in the most peaceful state of mind. This is a great album.
 WHAT WERE THESE GUYS SMOKING? September 28, 2003
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Cuz I want some of it too. What a delectably ambient album. "Blur" meets "Depeche Mode" meets "Moby" meets "U2" of yore. Very different, goovy numbers. Try Polyesterday for instance which more than any other showcases Gus Gus' mild penchant for the four-to-the-floor electronic pulse and their psych-pop beats. Fabulous stuff.
One of my best purchases in the last two years December 5, 2001
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Much of what I feel about this album has already been put into words by many of my fellow critics. Thus, all I will say is this: I consider myself an extremely finnicky listener, and I definitely reserve my highest praise for works that I genuinely feel deserve such accolades. Having said that, this album is fantastic. In fact, I'm listening to it as I write this review.
I had few expectations when I first purchased the album. In fact, my curiosity about Polydistortion arose because two of the tracks on this CD appear on Sasha & Digweed's Northern Exposure II East Coast---which is, in my mind, the most finely crafted, technically sound, and emotionally consummate electronica album ever conceived. Thus, I thought I would give Polydistortion a listen. There is real art in their music. They blend so many elements and styles, and are never contained by a genre or preconception.
The opening track piqued my curiosity, which is important. "Believe" was very different from the mix used by Sasha and Diggers, but still very cool--the beginning rolls in with an almost-funk sound which created a different mood than in the aforementioned mix (which was more like dark, resonating lullabye). I dug "Cold Breath '79" which immediately brought up images of dark cobalt interiors of European castles, as well as a level from Castlevania 3 for the NES (apologies). "Purple" was, of course, classic and almost exactly per the usage of the track in Tranceport and NE2:EC. The track that really grabbed me was "Why?". It was pure cosmic jazz in the vein of Air. It was eerily reminiscent of "All I Need" off Moon Safari, though I prefer Beth Hirsch's vocals. Regardless, a fabulous haze of thick meloncholy and slow, tripping, almost aquatic tonalities. Perhaps my favorite track on the album. At times trip-hop, other times dark groove, but always slick and melodically complex, this album takes the listener on a real voyage. A must have.
The electronic masterpiece for the 90s? August 20, 2000
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I bought this 3 years ago and I have not tired of it for a minute. The first two songs have a relaxing and chilling vibe to them. Just like Bjork's "Homogenic," Iceland serves as the backbone to the album. The same feeling of the arctic was captured most perfectly on The Residents' "Eskimo." You can hear the wind and freezing temperatures all throughout this record. But the record isn't about the climate and landscapes of Iceland. They serve as a backdrop to Gus Gus' house party. The songs themselves blend soul, funk, ambient, and techno into their own unique and beautiful electronic textures.Though "Barry" and "Remembrance" definitely aren't great (the latter has Siggi singing in a downright scary baritone) the rest of the songs more than make up for the slack. This was made when Gus Gus was still 9 (sometimes 10) members. "This Is Normal" to me is dispensible dance music. There's only 3 songs on it that I can still listen to. And with tons of problems with the band whittling them down to 3 remaining members, the future of Gus Gus is uncertain. Luckily, they have released the old T-World tracks on their own album, so "This Is Normal" won't be their final words.
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