Artist: s.t.d.m. (Andy Pickford + Paul Nagle)
Tracklist:
| 1 |
|
L'Infernal |
12:50 |
| 2 |
|
The Return Of The King |
9:16 |
| 3 |
|
Picochet |
9:11 |
| 4 |
|
Rumours From The Evacuole |
10:11 |
| 5 |
|
Not As It Seems |
6:35 |
| 6 |
|
Doctor Weed |
8:24 |
| 7 |
|
The Haunted Doobie |
14:03 |
LTD 200
This is the limited first edition with one more track!
The first five numbers were taken from what I think was the first set from their awesome September 2003 National Space Centre Concert. Track sixth is a studio track. All the material here is new, the music reaching new heights as their collaboration continues.
We begin with 'L'Infernal'. Birdsong mixes with other calming sounds and effects followed by a looped and processed sound sample courtesy (or certainly not!) of Tony Blair. Out of this emerges a sequence with just a hint of menace. The pads swell and another sequence / loop is added increasing the pace and excitement level still further. Things mutate beautifully providing just the right backing for a searing virtual electric guitar lead- absolutely fantastic. Things calm down again as we make a smooth transition into 'The Return of the Kirg'. A slow rhythm builds. Subtle melodies weave a spell low in the mix, gradually increasing in prominence as yet another sequence surges forward. More melodies are brought into play. The balance between power and beauty simply couldn't be better. We finish with an exquisite piano solo. I could say that this is one of the best pieces of music they have done together and that would be true but then so is almost every track on this and its sister CD 'Binary Motion'.
'Rumours From The Evacuole' initially cools the fevered brow with soft atmospherics and gentle melodies. At around the two and a half minute mark a slow steady rhythm comes in. A minute later a sequence joins it then a few seconds later yet another more urgent one. Before you know it we have entered warp drive again, searing lead lines diving this way then that. 'Not as it Seems' begins with soothing piano. A high register sequence joins it, the backing swells, drums are added and once again we are treated to a syncopated storm!
'Doctor Weed' is initially slow and brooding but as with previous tracks the pace soon starts to quicken. There are some humorous juxtapositioning of vocal samples whilst things develop, the afterburner is engaged then pow! We are back in overdrive, sequences bubble away whilst lead lines storm over the top. 'The Haunted Doobie' is a studio track not played at the show and it is a superb way to finish, once again mixing, initially, a humorous vocal sample with slow, menacing, rumbling sequence. A second melodic higher register sequence is added then a wonderful melancholy piano lead line - exquisite stuff.
We then get (depending on your point of view) rather meaningful or rather pompous vocal samples. It is hard to tell whether these are meant to be serious or whether the guys are poking fun, given the track title I would guess the latter. The piano returns, being just as beautiful as before showing real emotion which is increased still further in the last few minutes with the addition of acoustic guitar. (DL)
Here the last copy!
