This week's Electronica releases reviewed

HAUSCHKA

Snowflakes and Car Wrecks Fat Cat/130701****

With Hauschka we can always expect intoxicating, freewheeling sounds and shapes. The German pianist and composer Volker Bertelmann has established a rep for crunchy, melodic textures coaxed from prepared piano experiments via some beautifully exacting albums ( Room to Expand). Here, on a series of tracks left over from last autumn's Ferndorf release, Bertelmann continues to show his prowess at creating soundtracks to evoke seasonal moods. Aside from using pieces of metal (like a bolt on one track) and paper to modify the piano sounds and coax new echoes from the keys, Bertelmann is also a whizz at crafting stories by using an assortment of tone, nuance and low-key electronic touches. If this is what winter sounds like in Ferndorf, the German town where Bertelmann grew up, the local tourist board can expect a rush of new visitors. JIM CARROLLwww.myspace.com/ hauschka

Download tracks: Wonder, Kindelsberg