Jesus In Japan - Traces
1 rating since posting on Sunday, May 31, 2009
|
website
(submitted by
Morpheus Music
)
|
Overall Rating based on 1 rating |
|
|
Advertisement
|
|||
|
STYLE Delicate ambient minimalism. Traces delivers a suite of six tracks where muted drones and edge of perception melodic forms well and waver in rhythmic fluctuations. Soft synthetic textures form an undulating sonic fog wherein dulled piano touches or swelling pads lazily unroll into sparse, reverberating themes. There are sometimes multiple patterns playing at the same time, their individual measures overlaying one another - hard to pick out at first, emerging in time as the ear comes to rest. A layer of faint crackle at times sleets into the sonic haze or lightly sibilant disturbances shift across the relative smoothness, remote suggestions of percussion. The occasional peculiar noise blooms almost imperceptibly as if afar off - lost within the music - just traces. MOOD The mood here is a restful, an almost sleepy calm - the hints of melody warm and inviting. As the tracks work their charm upon the listener they have a buoyant effect - setting everything afloat. The opening pieces A Moment Before and Dhanus have an optimistic, uplifting air about them, a slightly more sober quality arriving from the third track onward - although Next To Me You Slept has some incredidly beautiful moments - its barely caught rhythm faintly churning like the beat of one's own body, soft breath hanging in the air toward the end. The concluding track, The Ice Bridge has a wistful, ethereal nature that grows as the track unfolds - a tenuous beauty borne on the slightest of melodic structures, the serene flow of warmth washing over everything. ARTWORK Since Traces is a digital release the cover is the sole piece of imagery for the package. This is a well chosen graphic - minimal, flat dusky yellow ground with simple title and single visual element. An insectile form to the right of the text, an unidentifiable scribble of twisted limbs around a central knot, crumpled white sail-like blot on top - captured with limited depth of field so that the various parts rise and fall out of focus. OVERALL This is the debut album from US ambient artist Kevin A Brooks otherwise known as Jesus in Japan. A download only release, Traces comes as a series of six related compositions of glowing minimalism. The open, hazy nature of the music is very transportational, inspiring the listener to daydream, reminisce or imagine. Currently the album is available through iTunes (US, UK, Japan, AU/NZ), Amazon, Napster and other online music shops. The artist's Myspace page also has some samples that you can explore. WHO WILL LIKE THIS ALBUM The artist cites as his influences Eno, Glass, Reich, Fripp, Lanois and Budd among others. I feel there is something of the softness of Thom Brennan's work in these tracks too. You will appreciate this release if you enjoy ambient music that is warm and uplifting. - Morpheus Music , posted 05/31/09 |
Jesus In Japan - Traces was recommended for:
- Tribe: ishq
- Tribe: AMBIENT CHILL
- Tribe: The Moon
- Tribe: !..ambient music..!
- Tribe: !! Electronic Musika !!
- Tribe: Morpheus Music
- Tribe: Ultimae Records
