Peel Sessions

On October 13, 1995, a relatively obscure techno act by the name of Autechre appeared on John Peel's famous radio show. And why are we finally seeing the release of the resultant Peel Session in 1999? It seems the British duo's stateside fan base has been growing at a meteoric pace since indie labels Matador and Nothing snared the American distribution rights from their native label Warp. This three-song gem exhibits the experimental, electro-informed sound Autechre helped to define. Their style is a balance of opposites: pretty melodies dance atop crunching rhythms; warm, organic sounds spar with tinny, machinelike noises. Call it ambient electro, call it minimal techno, but one thing's for sure: it's singularly Autechre. --Courtney Reimer