Icebreaker: Breakbeat Infused Electronica

AMG Review of Icebreaker: Breakbeat Infused Electronica

Rick Anderson
All Music Guide

Ambient Generation is the nom de studio of Matthew Oates, who specializes in highly melodic, utterly pleasant but never saccharine instrumental electronica. He achieves a balance between sweetness and sharpness by propelling his quiet electronic ditties with gentle but firm breakbeats -- imagine Jean Michel Jarre or Mike Oldfield with more rhythmic interest, or Enigma without the mustache-twirling, softcore porn aspect. Icebreaker is the second Ambient Generation album, following 2003's Habitat, and there are no surprises here -- just lots more lush electronic textures and bumping beats. The program is divided into two sections, "Downbeat" and "Upbeat," but you'll want to bear in mind that "Upbeat" is a relative term: the only thing really separating the chugging piano-and-strings-and-funk opus "Alone [Album Mix]" from the somewhat more laid-back "Independent" is a slightly higher percussion profile and a marginal increase in beats per minute. This is the type of music that doesn't sound very exciting in description, but is hard to resist when heard. Recommended.