Been listening to it today and yes, it has the same wonderful quirkiness of ‘Quantum Voodoo’. However, ‘Firebird’ seems to hang together as a much more mature album than the debut – and that was some album IMO! ‘Lord of the Ants’ has recently become one of the labels top download sellers so this new release is certainly going to enhance his growing reputation. It also highlights that AD artists are happy to take risks and produce something challenging and a little different to the norm. Firebird is a really great album that shows adventure, creativity and originality.Firebird is an imaginative blend of rhythmic electronic music and cinematic electronica, with deep house, chill, rock, dance and experimental influences that is superbly produced and grabs and holds your attention from start to finish. From the opening title track, the listener is treated to a series of memorable themes and intriguing soundscapes, either established by foot tapping sequences, infectious rhythms or deep bass and cinematic tones underpinned by searing guitar and melodic lead lines all encompassed in wonderfully original sound effects and atmospherics. When things slow down, as with “Impossible Sky” and "Secrets of the Days", the superb use of unconventional rhythms under deep bass and occasional acoustic guitar and treated voices is mind blowing. Even the use of a sampled Eastern female vocal on “East At Least” is given a new twist with the imaginative backing and unusual rhythms. The debut album 'Quantum Voodoo' was an interesting collection of diverse music, but this time round Christopher has honed his skills and wrapped his great themes up in clever rhythms, sequences and diverse sounds. But above all, by focussing the arrangements it has ensured 'Firebird’ is a mature, interesting and hugely entertaining electronic music album.
