Stumbleine
Spiderwebbed
Release Date: Oct 30, 2012
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock
Record label: Monotreme
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Album Review: Spiderwebbed by Stumbleine
Exceptionally Good, Based on 3 Critics
Based on rating 9/10
As Audrey Horne might ask, 'Isn’t this dreamy?' As one third of the dubstep trio Swarms, Stumbleine is the first solo venture for the anonymous Bristol producer and is a big leap away from his usual urban sound tracks, being rather a series of golden-hour lit vignettes. Taking his name from a Smashing Pumpkins’ b-side, Stumbleine's Spiderwebbed is also a glorious indie-fication and gentle warming of dub and 2-step’s colder production values. From the opening of ‘Cherry Blossom’, expectations are set high, a soft series of percussive shakes set at mid-tempo whilst edited vocals gently stammer melodically.
Based on rating 8/10
Stumbleine has in many ways done exactly what a 21st century artist should -- self-release a slew of music online, keep his hand in via collaborative efforts, both in bands and with other performers, and generally aim to capture an audience. What's especially nice about his full-length debut, Spiderwebbed, isn't that it's good, but that it's surprisingly great -- if it slots into the psuedo-genre of sensitive dudes in bedrooms trying to record a combination of shoegaze and modern R&B, that's only a flag of convenience, simply because the end results sparkle that nicely. Three collaborations appear on the release, including a cover of "Fade Into You" by Mazzy Star that, while it can't capture either the original of Richard X's inspired reworking with the help of Jarvis Cocker, still provides a lovely showcase for Steffaloo's singing.
Opinion: Fairly Good
Accessible, atmospheric electronica for the climax-chasing comedown. Mike Diver 2012 Bristol producer Stumbleine has been making the right waves in the right circles for some time. As a third of dubsteppers Swarms he’s courted dancefloors and tastemaker DJs alike, while a couple of previous EPs under this solo moniker – Rose Tinted and All for Your Smile – pricked the ears of blog-savvy sorts.