From Within – From Within

One of the best FAX albums; highly engaging, and thankfully steering clear of loud thumping beats. This is well thought-out electronic music that touches on ambient at times yet never becomes 'ambient'. Some songs are outright catchy, and others are spacey but it never turns to noodling. It's probably my most played FAX album, and as long as you don't mind it sounding a tiny bit dated here there then I can recommend this for anyone interested in 90s electronic music.

10/10. This stuff is the jewel of the 90s for me. Nothing else tops it up.

Excellent collaboration between Namlook and minimalist Techno boffin Hawtin, aka Plastikman. Again, Namlook often works best in collaborations when someone is prepared to up the ante and take control of the session, leaving Namlook in a more ing, yet sympathetic role. This seems to be what happens here, and the 5 tracks are all compulsive and compelling; with dynamics that are restrained yet lush and rather epic, if that isn't an oxymoron. No 4/4 beat here, but compelling, head-nodding rhythmic pulses and understated yet wholly satisfying electronics. Less is truly more. Even the lengthy 'A million miles to earth' doesn't meander too far from the path; and the album as a whole is inspiring- making you want to hear more. The two sequels are very good, but this is the one. Highly recommended!

The first CD I bought on the World label, and still one of my all-time Fax top 10. Volumes 2 and 3 are great as well, but the original is still the best in my view.

"Snake Charmer" builds wonderfully well, Richie Hawtin's techno influence clearly discernible in what is a very enjoyable track. Somehow it doesn't seem to be as long as it is, always a good sign in my book.

"Sad Alliance" sounds absolutely brilliant on good equipment, a melancholy, soulful number, where the bassline takes centre stage, complented by jittering mechanical rhythms.

"A Million Miles to Earth" is nearly half an hour of synth and piano-based ambience, nothing more, nothing less, and very pleasant it is too. :-)

"Homeward Bound" is a return to beats and things, with perhaps the most raucous tune on the disc to boot. Sometimes I think of this as my favourite track, but then at different times I think of all four of them this way, and to me, that's often the mark of a classic disc...

"Lost" = Coda.

Verdict - 9/10, deserving if its "Fax classic" status.

This is just a fantastic album. Dominated by the Roland TR and TB machines popular at the time, From Within is nonetheless a compelling listen. I've previously discussed Pete Namlook's unfortunate tampering and degrading of other Fax albums, but this recording is truly one of the label's best collaborations. The balance of the styles of these two artists is what really makes this work.

Hawtin was firmly rooted in his Plastikman phase in 1994; those albums were stellar, but haven't aged so gracefully. Namlook's ability to create expansive soundscapes forces Hawtin to develop his ideas at a slower, more deliberate pace. Consequently, you get the best of both worlds here: warm, rich ambiance that maintains focus and melody. Even the half-hour "Million Miles to Earth" is an awesome, interesting track.

The subsequent albums in this series are also very good, though they aren't quite as memorable as this one.