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Anomalous Disturbances "Archive Two"
It's been five years since the last release from Terry O'Brien's Anomalous Disturbances project, but it's clear from the volume of material on the double disc "Archive Two" that Terry has been very busy making music. Collecting rare tracks and unreleased work recorded over the last few years, "Archive Two" is a wonderful set of music that nicely illustrates the musical essence of Anomalous Disturbances. "Portent (v.2 Omen Mix)" opens disc one, an epic track clocking in at over 17minutes that appeared in it's original form as part of the "Music for Seances" series from Sound-o-Mat Recordings. Needless to say it's a haunting piece of music where languid guitar tones stretch and sweep across the track sharing the soundscape with subtle textures and micro-melodies. A very nice piece of music that stands among Terry's best. "The Secret Adam" follows, a deep drone-y tone playing along with a slight melodic backdrop. The occasional chime sparkles through the mix, but overall the proceedings are quiet and low, a gentle ebb and flow that brings to mind waves and the ocean. It's a hypnotic piece, one with a certain intimacy about it that captures the imagination of the listener. My only regret is that at twelve minutes it's still too short for my tastes, as I'd like to hear this track evolve and expand across an hour at least! I have no idea what "Quickenberries" are, but I would imagine that they have some otherworldly charms about them. This drone-based track seems to move through the stars with a steady pulse and occasional space-y flourishes. It's a fine creation of space music textures, and an excellent example of effectively bridging two styles of work. Very nicely done! "Noodles" is a previously unreleased track where a minimal melody rises and falls, a slow pulse around which other sounds and tones gather. It's a very nice minimal piece, a really nicely constructed soundscape using only a few elements. As the track progresses a ringing drone shifts the focus of the track, taking the piece in new directions but never straying too far from the space that's been created, always circling back to its initial starting point. "Everybody's Talkin' v.2" is another track that carries on in a haunting vein, processed vocal samples echoing through some space-y drawn out synth work. It stands as the shortest track on the disc, but don't think for a minute that it's lacking in it's creation of an unsettling and vaguely uncomfortable environment. A testimony to Terry's ability that he can so effectively create a living and breathing space in such little time. "Daydream #3" is a new recording built around a seed loop from 2003 finally developing into a full fledged song in 2009. It's an interesting piece, another long track of 18 plus minutes that manages to maintain the listeners interest throughout its length. Drones rise and fall, creating an oblique background of sorts while tones drift past in a seemingly random pattern. The sense of movement and travel is very strong in this track, a feeling of slowly floating through space and time. Close your eyes and I expect you'll be carried away the same way I was... Disc Two begins with "Sedna", another previously unreleased track that starts with an almost inaudible tone that builds in volume and strength over the course of the track's first minute. Throughout the length of the track the sound unfolds and expands, allowing the listener to explore the soundfield as it progresses, each area filled with nuance and wonder to discover. "Low Pulse" lives up to it's name, a steady pulsing drone providing a framework around which other tracks rise and fall, bend and contract, echo and fade. It's an interesting track where a variety of sonic techniques are all applied in a tasteful and well executed fashion suggesting form and purpose rather than haphazard discovery. Well done. The third track from disc two, "Mysterium Tremendum #23" opens with dark and unsettling guitar, weaving in and about itself and sweeping across the soundfield. As the track progresses, the sound thickens and becomes more dense, occasionally punctuated by aquatic gurgling that brings to mind submarines and underwater exploration. It's not really clear what sort of space is created here, but in ways I enjoy the track even more for that. A tremendous mystery to say the least... "Live at SOMA Cafe Pt.2" opens with a slight melody that relies on silence as much as it does musical notes, creating both positive and negative spaces for the listener to engage with. Tones pass through the soundfield and disappear, some returning, some never to be heard again, and it all brings to mind the fleeting nature of all of life's moments. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I'm reminded how important it is to enjoy everything as it happens, because you might not have the chance to do so tomorrow... "Segue to Heaven" is a slow drift of a song, sleepy and lazy and very, very, very relaxed. I'm hard-pressed to say anything else about it, except to say that it's quite beautiful and I enjoy it very much. Disc two closes with "Space Elevator Music", another drifting piece, but this time with a bit more direction, a purpose and idea behind the movement that keeps the track headed in a particular way. I can't say for sure if it's into outer space, more likely I think it's inner space. An internal journey of discovery to end all of the traveling we've done over the course of the last two discs. And really, is there any better way to end this compilation? I can't really think of one. It takes a lot to sustain one's interest over the course of a two and a half hour double disc, but "Archive Two" succeeds in presenting a series of engaging and involving tracks. There's some fine music on this collection that really resonates with me, and I whole-heartedly recommend it as an excellent release. Whether you're a fan of Terry's work and would like to hear more of it, or if you're just looking for something new to check out, "Archive Two" is definitely a disc that you should make a point of investigating further. rik - ping things
related itemsAnomalous Disturbances "Archive One" Anomalous Disturbances - Inside Anomalous Disturbances - The Spirit Molecule SADU - LiVE at THE PiNG with General Chaos Visuals last updated 3/17/12
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