- This debut 2CD effort from Canadian duo Shiloh, brothers Colin and Justin Moreh, leaves me with a distinct feeling of ambivalence. On one hand, as expected, this is an impeccably produced album showcasing Shiloh's tight and distinctive style – by and large a comfortable stroll through spacious, melodic progressive breaks and house. On the other hand, however, it’s mind-bogglingly dated – so dry and ordinary that it barely secured itself a second listen.
Sporting an impressive discography and winning the thumbs-up of progressive circles, Shiloh quickly became trailblazers of the genre, all the more reason why this album's uninspired, passé musicality is a bona fide shock to the system. Admittedly, it has its moments, though spanning across two full discs that should be a given.
Unfortunately, the highlight of the first disc ‘Red Cell’ doesn’t come until the end: 'Dream On' is a classic Shiloh triumph. Released as a single and an out-and-out club hit, 'Dream On' delivers some much-needed quality to the proceedings. With tight, dynamic beats, genre-defining trickling melodies and Colin Moreh's own druggy, atmospheric REM/Underworld-style vocal, the track rather frustratingly flaunts what the duo are capable of. Elsewhere 'Mana' reveals layers of heavenly, silky melodies illustrative of the LP's retrograde breaks sound that I melted to a year or three ago.
Second disc ‘White Cell’ features remixes and collaborations with artists such as Luke Chable and David West. Overall it plays better than its partner. Chable, ever on form, delivers an outstanding peaktime remix of 'Dream On', while the Furry Nipples remix of 'Face' is well-executed, contemporary, techy house - succeeding with the trippy, dark vocal where the original failed.
So this leaves me in a quandary: while not an appalling album by any means, 'Bleed' just falls short of the brilliance and originality I have come to expect from the Brothers Moreh. Although Shiloh’s consistent output of singles will undoubtedly keep them in the running, this sub-par album will come as a disappointment to many.