inspector.godot: As someone who at first felt the same way about Dettmann's debut self-titled album and thinks that Ostgut generally falls under this category these days, I find this a very strong release, particularly if you curate it into an EP of Reticle, Captivate, Silex and Viscous. These are the only tracks I play from the album and each has a unique character and occasion. My favourite is undoubtedly Reticle; so deep and dubby while still having a pitch perfect beat. Captivate was the only track I really dug at first, which is interesting as I no longer derive the same pleasure from it, though this early enjoyment definitely stemmed from its accessibility. The going gets even murkier with Silex and Viscous. I wasn't a fan until I heard them in a mix or two (which is the same way I discovered how great Reticle is), but then I realized Dettmann's sheer brilliance in crafting this legitimate techno album out of tracks that have no business featuring on anything other than a monster EP. Fantastic stuff. Make sure to slow Reticle down a few % for maximum enjoyment!P.s. If you're going to bring up MDR nothing tops MDR 04. Lattice and Shatter Proof are timeless, not to mention his role in publishing Nodge's masterpieces. I think it's important to keep in mind that these tracks are first and foremost DJ tools made to keep the party going at just the right intensity. Anything beyond that—i.e. could a Dettmann album really be an album in its truest sense—is just a bonus if you ask me.

Thank you for that interesting reply! Of course I have to agree with you that yes, this music is clearly made to be played in a mix, not on home stereo systems. And yes, I can imagine the tracks would win through the hands of a good DJ. On the other hand, this is the case with almost any piece of electronic dance music, and still some of them can work very well on their own. If they do, it always speaks in their favour, I think, and one has at least to note the absence of this good attribute here. I also gave the tracks you mentioned another listening - I'm really sorry, they still don't bite me. They're all good, I admit, but just nothing more. They keep the party going on, as you say, but what I hope for from techno tracks is that they bring it to the peak or at least build some tension towards it. Which doesn't necessarily have to include getting harder or so - sometimes it's just a funky bassline, a perfect clap or a certain groove that can create such a tension. "Corebox" from MDR 04 for example has this quality, at least when it's mixed into something - great tune then. Maybe "Silex" also has something of it. And still, I'm missing some energy and musical suspense in all of these tracks. It's solid, but I just can't say it freaks me out.

I really can't hear what other people like about this. I enjoyed MDR 06 for its distorted and wonky touch or "Plain" for its funkiness, but this here is just generic, uninspired, flat "standard techno". At least some tracks try to be something special, like "Argon" or "Home", but just don't work out; one reminds of Jeff Mills but not of his drive and energy ("Captivate"); others sound nice in the first place but don't develop at all and get boring after two minutes ("Drawing", "Viscous"). Most of them however do not even try, being just forgettable. The most interesting track maybe is "Irritant", but also this one's not really a great tune. All of this seems somehow typical for a certain kind of style popular in Berlin over the last years - making no one jump, no one freak out, no one even dream away, just monotonously going on and on, boring the hell out of everyone. I'm sorry to say it: All fillers, no killers.

Massive, brooding techno for those in the "know" and club-goers alike. My vote for one of the best that year, Berlin's finest at top of the hour, and right on time.

Deep, Dark & Dirty Techno. Berlin native Marcel Dettmann delivers BIG with his first full length on Ostgut Ton. There's usually a stinker or two on a full length, but not here. Everything is thoughtful and well produced. Definitely a keeper. Don't sleep on this!