It's not necessarily unique or groundbreaking, but I find I play it over and over again because it's...consistent, rhythmically spot-on, and provides enough variation to keep one interested. I don't have experience with their other works so I can't make comparisons, but for those who listen to the likes of Autechre or Monolake this is pretty good stuff.
This is album is a total departure from anything else Ultramarine ever did, IMO. Even "Every Man and Woman is a Star." Where as most of their other albums had a warm, folky, rural type of feel. This album is very machine like and much more Urban in feel. For example, when I listen to "Every Man" it makes me feel like I'm hiking through the English country side on a sunny day. Where as when I listen to "A Users Guide" it makes me feel like I'm driving through an industrial part of London on a drizzly day. So even though it's very different, this album is every bit as original and haunting as "Every Man" if you ask me. Definitely worth the download.
This does not have anywhere near the charm and eclecticism of 'every man and woman is a star' which was one of those abums that changed the way people categorised music. The joy of 'every' was that the naivety of folk was married to the hipness of the electronic urban sound of House Music and would be very hard to rekindle simply because times have changed.Everyone and his uncle can now sample whatever they like and add a contemporary spin.
probaably a great album, but with 30sec preview, its impossible to know the developement of trax. but not the artists fault. as much as i love emusic, i wish theyd sort this shit out. think about the listner, wake up e music.also the choice to dload in better qulity would be nice for the djs. sorry artist, good sounding album,
