This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
A is for abstract. It’s also for ambient, alien, avant-garde and alarming — all of which describe this third CD from Finnish electronica duo Pan Sonic (ne Panasonic; A is also for actionable copyright infringement).
Actually, calling this electronica is like calling your humming fridge an ambient synth. Really, Pan Sonic aren’t musicians as much as noise sculptors. Working with homemade oscillators, effects and rudimentary beatboxes, their idea of a “song” consists of insectile clicks and blips accompanied by intermittent noise, theremin-like howls and industrial drones. One track resembles Morse Code over a crackling ham radio; another sounds like your TV on an unscrambled pay-per-view channel. Alternately unsettling and soothing, Pan Sonic’s cold, clinical approach makes Kraftwerk seem like The Carpenters. A is also for astounding.
