Logic Memory Center

by Rob TheakstonMuch like contemporaries Matthew Dear and Swayzak, prodigious producer John Tejada has continued the evolution of putting Depeche Mode pop music structures in a minimal techno environment. Collaborating with Random Factor spearhead Carl Finlow, Invisible's Kimi Recor, and Dntel contributor James Figurine on vocals, Tejada's homemade blend of Detroit techno, minimal sensibilities, and recent forays into cut-up microhouse territory all make up the music bed over which these crooners sing. Strong acid lines and grooves keep Logic Memory Center consistently funky and moving along at a nice pace. However, Logic's biggest flaw is the over-packing of ideas into one song. The over-layering on some compositions creates a feeling of overcompensation and unnecessary busyness where the old minimal mantra of "less is more" could easily have been just as potent. But that shouldn't detract the curious from giving this a spin. It's Tejada's most solid full-length since 2002's Daydreams in Cold Weather, and some moments match Tejada's finest production moments. And given that the man releases such a baffling amount of music every year, that's no faint praise.