Is ISAM a good place to start with Amon Tobin?

Yes, ISAM is recommended as a starting point for new Amon Tobin listeners. A sonorous exploration blending intricate beats with organic textures, creating an immersive soundscape that defies easy categorization. By 2011, Amon Tobin had established himself as a pioneer in the electronic music scene, with ISAM being his sixth studio album. This release followed the critically acclaimed Foley Room (2007) and showcased Tobin's innovative use of sound design and sampling techniques, further solidifying his reputation as an avant-garde artist pushing the boundaries of genre.

ISAM works well if you're into dynamic progression with peaks, intricate beats for deep focus and mesmerizing soundscapes for relaxation.

How many songs are on ISAM?

ISAM has 13 tracks, running approximately 54 minutes.

ISAM

Amon Tobin · 2011

54 min · 13 tracks · electronic music

A sonorous exploration blending intricate beats with organic textures, creating an immersive soundscape that defies easy categorization.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Journeyman Start here — Opening the album, this track sets the tone with its layered textures and dynamic rhythm, showcasing Tobin's masterful production skills.
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Lost & Found — This track features a captivating interplay of organic sounds and electronic beats that encapsulate the album's experimental spirit.
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Kitty Cat — With its playful yet complex arrangement, this track exemplifies Tobin's ability to blend humor with intricate musicality.
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Dropped From the Sky — Closing the album, this expansive piece combines ethereal sounds with a sense of resolution, leaving listeners in a contemplative space.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

72 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

ISAM blends intricate beats with organic textures, creating an immersive soundscape that stands out in electronic music.

What we noticed

The album features a wide range of sound textures, with tracks often layering organic sounds over intricate electronic beats.
Several tracks transition smoothly into one another, creating a continuous flow that enhances the immersive experience.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic progression with peaks
intricate beats for deep focus
mesmerizing soundscapes for relaxation
wave-like pacing for immersion

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — ISAM represents a departure from Amon Tobin's earlier sound, showcasing innovative live performances.
Career context: By 2011, Amon Tobin had established himself as a pioneer in the electronic music scene, with ISAM being his sixth studio album. This release followed the critically acclaimed Foley Room (2007) and showcased Tobin's innovative use of sound design and sampling techniques, further solidifying his reputation as an avant-garde artist pushing the boundaries of genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Squarepusher· Bonobo· Boards of Canada