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Critic's Review
Glenn Swan, All Music Guide
This is an alternate, pricier import version of the Mo' Wax release, one that leaves out Andrea Parker's vocals and puts the spotlight squarely on the music beneath. To this end, Kiss My ARP (Instrumental) fares pretty well, considering the tracks do occasionally feel like they're missing something. The album is every bit as accomplished as an early Autechre CD, and almost as cold. Parker's approach leans to the cinematic side on occasion, much like David Holmes' first couple of records, by weaving melodramatic orchestral samples through the stark metallic gridwork of sound. The violins, plucked cellos, and rumbling timpanis make an odd counterpart to the techno digital chirps and squelches that hold the pieces together, though the assemblage doesn't automatically turn them into songs. It's like a robot made out of wood, and it doesn't always operate very smoothly. This being said, an undeniable exception comes from the three consecutive tracks of "Melodius Thunk," "Some Other Level (Instrumental)," and the epic "Ballbreaker," which add up to be the fire behind the programming and the best reason to find this release. Machines swirl with hydraulic precision and purpose, steam hisses from the rhythm boxes, and synthesizers rumble with the growl and squawk of feedback. If this triad was put out as an EP, investors would be scrambling to buy stock. Elsewhere, it's a less-exciting mixed bag of wooden percussion, hiccuping springs, cellos, satellite telemetry, upright bass, and atonal quirkiness ("Sneeze," "Exclamation Mark!"). Other engaging techno-orchestra pieces like "Lost Luggage (Instrumental)" and "Return of the Rocking Chair (Instrumental)" end up sounding like Barber's "Adagio for Strings" recycled by Aphex Twin. Together with co-composer David Morley, Parker assembles a multifaceted science project of downtempo, classical romanticism, trip-hop, and noisemaker IDM. Considering the largely male-dominated clubhouse of electronica, Andrea Parker manages to deliver something relatively unique, although a bit disjointed.
