Matthew Dear and Four Tet: An Odd Couple or a Match Made in Heaven?

By Michele Lenni in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 13, 2010 8:40PM

When we toss around records that we've really loved in 2010 thus far, both Matthew Dear and Four Tet always seem to get mentioned, almost in the same breath. Both artists have such a sharp sense of melody and an inherent sense of rhythm that it is hard not to to latch on to their brand of electro-fused music. Lucky for us both are playing tomorrow night at The Metro .

Though both artist differ greatly, we can definitely see why they'd tour together. Dear is the sonic yin to Kieran Hebden's [Four Tet] yang. Dear's music. Though both artists try to defy past notions of what electronica is, Dear has a sound that is more a physically palpable sensibility; tactile and a hell of a lot more sensuous. Dear's pairing of sparse, minimal electronic beats and a low growling vocal seem to just spell the word s-e-x. Hebden on the other hand has a more detached and calculated approach to his music. His love of free-form jazz and intrinsic appreciation of melody, organic soundscapes and textures arouse a challenge in most listeners, but the pay-off goes above and beyond the obstacle. Bits and pieces of guitar riffs, vocals, staccato piano and acoustic drums are cut apart and then brilliantly pieced back together like a enormous puzzle that pictures Hebden's sonic vision. Though initially lumped in with the rest of the unfortunately named folktronica movement, he has risen above any pseudonyms to a statue all his own in any given genre.

Though most would think this would equal a booze-fueled dance party, we think a lot more fans of electronica will take a more cerebral approach to the show and absorb the sites and sounds of two divergent talents.

Matthew Dear and Four Tet, Thursday, October 14 at Metro, 3730 N Clark Street, $20 advance tickets, 18+