As far as I'm concerned, House music is a plague; it's very existence inspiring me to doubt the existence of God. Thankfully, the future of Australian beats appears to be pivoting on snare drums rather than inane 4/4 monotony. Breaks collectives are beginning to thrive including The Herd in Sydney and, of course, Melbourne's Symbiotic, comprising of 10 laterally minded beat technicians and MCs that are borderline lunatics. I'm specifically talking about Curse OV Dialect who represent the only real vocal tracks on Ants Farm Aphids, the first - hopefully of many - compilations of futuristic Melbourne beats. You'll find DJ Shadow-esque jazzy and epic Breaks; some glitchy, demented cut n paste madness; and very Australian, psychotic hip-hop. Terminal Sound System's Dusted is a highlight, melding a collection of abrasive sounds to form an aurally pleasing cohesion; a good soundtrack for a walk down a dark alley. You'll find plenty of big swing and cruisers on Ants Farm Aphids, like Dengar's Arch-Nemesis which almost inspired me to buy a low-rider. Then there's Curse Ov Dialect. I thought these maniacs were contrived when they began gaining some recognition for their alterno-hop but a couple of years later I've been converted and looked forward to hearing House Of Clocks, which succeeded in inundating my eardrums with scattered syllables and scrap-book beats/samples. 20 years ago this combo would have been quietly locked away where they could develop basket-weaving skills; in 2003 they represent some of the most innovative hip-hop sounds in the country. The album’s closer - Dan's Shoes And Reference Texts - is a 7 minute trip through a multitude of atmospheres, driving the listener through soundscapes of mystical, brooding and sometimes evil loops of gritty sounds; a perfect conclusion to this impressive - if sometimes puzzling - collection of songs. Ants Farm Aphids will definitely be on Whammo's high-rotation list.

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Tracklisting
1 3RD DEK-TOO SOON TO DRAW CONCLUSIONS
2 PITCH BUREAU-LEFT HANDED
3 CARBON-FLEA SKYNARD
4 TERMINAL SOUND SYSTEM-DUSTED
5 BEATRIX-PORCUPINE
6 PASOBIONIC-ECHOES OF BLUE
7 GUITARKUS-BALANCE OF NATURE
8 DENGAR-ARCH NEMESIS
9 ECHO-FOETUS
10 LKR-LISTEN
11 CURSE OV DIALECT-HOUSE OF CLOCKS
12 THE DOILY ROOM-SATAN IS ALIVE AND WELL IN PORTLAND
13 BEATRIX-BABY IN THE WELL
14 DAN-SHOES AND REFERENCE TEXTS

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