Loudboxer

by John BushAbandoning the high-IQ experimental-techno of his last two NovaMute records, Speedy J turned in a surprisingly straight-ahead collection of pummeling techno, boasting more in common with a Richie Hawtin mix set than the latest Autechre LP. Loudboxer is also much less track-based than either A Shocking Hobby or Public Energy No. 1. In fact, he's often content to simply bash away track after track of hard Detroit techno until peaking near the end with a live version of "Krikc" (which comes complete with audience screaming akin to a roller-coaster ride). Though Speedy J does pure techno as good as he did his earlier experimental productions, it's a shame he's gotten back to the kind of tracks that DJ Hyperactive could be knocking out in his sleep.