Recorded back in 2000 but unreleased until 2006,
Special Powers showcases the work of the first era of
Reanimator, a then-Portland based duo who, in their unheralded way, signaled a shift between various '90s IDM acts and more noise-oriented descendants -- they're not quite the missing link between
Autechre and
Lightning Bolt, but stranger can be claimed. Certainly the aesthetics of the album art could be something on Load, as well as the proud note that everything was recorded "live to 2-track...without the aid of the computer," but the gentle beats and echoed space-transmission melody starting the album on "Clicks and Drones May..." aim more at mood than at sonic disruption; glitch in a calmer sense. Where more distortion and noise creeps in is later throughout the collection, though always in a restrained way. Thus there's the swooping, rhythmic moans that set the initial pace and feeling of "Eat the Magic Toast" and how the brisk beats on the title track still sit in a pool of echo, texturing deep in the background, much like a prime early
Aphex Twin song. A comparatively calmer moment all around comes with "Phase Constellation/Diskombah," with a serene, flowing central melody along with a few nature noises mixing with the expected murkier beats and rhythm.
Special Powers isn't a lost holy grail of sound but is still an enjoyable enough listen for those inclined to their general approaches on offer, and if nothing else shows that there's always been more going on to rough home recordings in America than garage bands or lo-fi saps.