Plaid – Not For Threes

I have seen Plaid a few times during these years, and usually they defend their latest album giving a bit of time to go to the immediate previous ones. This means that the earlier I have seen them defend live was when in Glastonbury they closed with Eyen... which makes this album stand in a really weird zone, as it is one of the most loved of their career, the one that features two of their more mainstream vocal tracks (one with Nicolette, the other with Björk), the one with the track more featured on dj sets (OI), the one with the track most featured in ads and series (Rakimou, an incredible work), and in general what I would say their most fun tracks. Do they hate this album? Do they think that is too ever present? Do they only want to focus on their latest work and ignore their classics as Wire do (or were doing) - and on this are they going to get a cover band to play Undoneson or the material in Trainer as part of their shows? Questions, questions.

There was a misprinted CD. What was supposed to be my second copy played as Boards of Canada - Geogaddi.

Does anyone know the proper name of the instrument depicted on the cover?

For me is Plaid's - 'Ol' the blueprint for what is later known as the 'Sandwell District Sound' only this was 10 years earlier.

Plaid's first album, NOT FOR THREES, would really set the bar for the rest of their work to follow, with varying degrees of success. After their break from the Black Dog, they continued their with their angular electro IDM, evident right off the bat with "Abla Eedio." "Kortisin," on the other hand, starts off more baroque and stately before it drops to the linoleum. But when "Headspin" comes on, prepare to be blown away by its modal melodies and skittering rhythms. And is that steel drum reggae I hear on "Myopia?" Their use of vocals is careful and masterful: check out Nicolette on “Extork” or, even better, Bjork’s howls on “Lilith.” “Ladyburst” mixes a pastoral melody with a gravelly bassline, while “Rakimou” starts on a Lisa Gerrard-like vocal which haunts the rest of the track. “Ol” is the closest to a 4-to-the-floor beat you’ll get here. By the time the final track “Milh” comes around, you’re ready for another listen. Musically complex and diverse, NOT FOR THREES stands as some of Plaid’s most engaging and successful works.

After hearing a lot of Plaid's early work, I was sort of expecting more of the same...Melodic, synth-heavy dubby electro. Instead, what I heard was different...Playful melodies mix with beautiful ambience on 16 of the best tracks Plaid has ever done. The track "Rakimou" says it all...truly the most wonderful song Plaid has ever done. It brought tears to my eyes the first time I heard it. TEARS, I tell you!
EASILY 10/10 in my book.

Of all Plaid's albums, I still like this one best.
It has a darker, more profound side I find somewhat lacking in their later work (a track like 'Dead Sea' on 'Restproof Clockwork' feels very out of place for me - up to the point where it just seems entirely fake).
Bjork sings here, so does Nicolette. When vocals are used, they're super-high quality. When there are none, they're not missed. Highly recommended throughout since the record can be both playful and moody almost at the same time without their intentions sounding 'dubious'. ('Don't be afraid' is whispered on one of the harder tracks just before the beat kicks in). Very inventive and never farfetched. Prime Plaid!! 9/10