Luke Solomon

To say that Luke Solomon is going big for his solo debut isn't a surprise -- everything from the cover shot to song titles like "Robots" and "Junkies and Whores" makes everything seem like it's his specific stamp on a style and ethos. Nothing wrong with that, and if The Difference Engine doesn't hold up over the course of an album, it's definitely got some good edges to it throughout. One of the better numbers is also one of the more amusingly and straightforwardly titled -- "Martin, a Cello and Me," with the cello in question providing an understated but straightforward performance that contrasts nicely with the rougher static bursts and beats. Other standouts include the closing "Liquid," with a great drum break as well as horn parts to wrap things up on a party note, and the jazzy, woozy breakdowns on "The Beat Goes," with a great spoken word bit about young and old people that is as obvious as it is entertaining. The opening track, the titular number, has enough rough crunches to show that he's not out to only make a clean listening experience -- no bad thing at all -- while "People, Places, Thoughts and Faces" provides a gentler contrast, an easy groove with good vocals. Meanwhile, "Robots" sounds like the titular objects slightly breaking down and spiking -- it's not Aphexy-beat-collapse wooze but it's not far removed around the corners. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide