With a rhythm almost as aimless and noodly as the pseudo-poetry on top of it, the title track doesn't start things off on the most representative note; later, a weak stab at some kind of tribal feeling, "Broken Arrow," limps along just below the groove radar. But these songs are misleading and detract from the true heart of what's good here: a simple vocal house-music anthem like "Tonight"; the meld of live guitar and metallic clicks with soaring string chords on "Feelin'"; and the saucy talk and filtered sweeps of sound that swirl around the spare, foregrounded snares of "So Fine." These are among the songs the duo has thoroughly tested while DJing, and their refinements stand out. Ultimately it is the dance floor where H_Foundation excels, so it follows that Environments succeeds both in re-creating the club vibe at home and as a solid tool for DJs who require some sure-fire peak-hour jams. Astute enough to not fool with its proven formula but still willing to attempt some after-hours, post-club listening (for better or worse), H_Foundation delivers a record that bodes well for a pair of exciting DJs still growing into their roles as musicians.
