Polymer

I have not set out to write reviews of the music content as “beauty is in the ears of the listener”. These reviews are about the quality (or not) of the recorded sound. To read about how the reviews are done please see my profile.Pulsing beats and multi layered. High quality sound but with an almost retro feel to the music. However the quality and depth of sound make this a rewarding recording to listen to. It is a recording that demands and grabs your full attention. • Clarity – crisp crystal clear no trace of muddiness • Channel separation - good • Channel balance – used as part of the sound stage, clear left righ centre, blending and alternating with subtle shifting patterns • Sound Stage – good pulsing sounds which use the channel balance to create a sense of being”driven” or a heart beat like pulse • Distortion – non audible • Compression – non audible • Atmosphere – very “in your face” not a late night recording to get lost in, demands and grabs your attention. Has some retro elements from the early days of electronica • Bass – low frequencies – superb on occasion, tremendous depth and reverberation. Capable of rattling the furniture • Treble – high frequencies – excellent, clear and crisp without being shrill • Vocals – OK used as an instrument to build tonesAs a general rule of thumb recordings from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s are nearly always better on the original vinyl. Remasters often fail to please as it’s just not possible to make a silk purse from a sows ear, i.e. the original recording lacks the necessary detail to be processed digitally and show an audible improvement. Indeed such processing can make the sound worse.Modern recordings which have been processed digitally from start to finish can be as good as vinyl. CD’s are often unfairly criticised for being poor quality. This is not the case, it is the original recording or the process which is to blame. Modern “remasters” can both enhance and degrade a recording. The statement GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) is the limiting factor. Ignore this at your cost.

Whilst always rhythmically and melodically adventurous, the last few Plaid LPs have had a subtle appeal. Generally the compositions and production is a notch up on Polymer and reminds me of their purple patch of releases from Not for Threes through to P-Brane. Its energy and self confidence reminds me of Not For Threes in many ways, not bad for a duo that have been working together for 30 years. Highly recommended.

Despite a couple of slightly weaker tracks, this is really good. It's made me want to look into their other stuff.

Great album

A superb album from Plaid, very well balanced, intricate sounds, nice and varied, definitely leaves me wanting for more!

Beautiful sounds from start to finish

Plaid.... Continuing where they left off... But... A little better! I loved the last Digging... R. This is slightly better... Lovely tunes, lots of synth.. Especially The Pale Moth which is superb!.. Best enjoyed on a quality Hi fi Naim and Powered by Roksan... Not by my wife plugging her crap I phone into my system. Lol.... This is a quality piece of work. The boys do keep delivering!!

I just listened to this album on Spotify Premium and felt compelled to write a quick review.Plaid are one of those brilliant electronica acts that never run out of ideas and never let you down. While a few of their more recent albums may have been a little more mediocre, Polymer certainly isn’t.The production is exquisite; perfectly balancing variety with consistency and creating luscious soundscapes to lose yourself in. Personal favourites included Ops, Narula and All To Get Her. For me, this is a big step up from The Digging Remedy.If you are a fan of Plaid, you won’t be disappointed. If you have never listened to them before, then this isn’t a bad starting point either, and certainly far more accessible than some of their other albums.