drone / ambient / post rock
We don't always do specials but sometimes there is just a lot to write about an album. I don't really want to use the word 'special' but in a way I have to. This new album by Belgian post-rock-ambient act Stratosphere is something out of the ordinary. Not only because Stratosphere has been growing and evolving as an artist in the past few years but also because this full-length features several renowned artists. Stratosphere's urge for perfection seems to have taken the best out of most of them and in their turn they have taken Stratosphere's characteristic sound to new levels.
Instead of barking out a review, I decided to do things a little different this time. In this article I will be reviewing each piece, followed by a teaser and Stratosphere's own words. Ronald was so friendly to share his experiences on each of these collaborations. Each Sunday, he reveals another teaser, and from now on so will we. So be sure to return to this page regularly and find out the wonderful world that is 'Collaborations 1'.
Instead of barking out a review, I decided to do things a little different this time. In this article I will be reviewing each piece, followed by a teaser and Stratosphere's own words. Ronald was so friendly to share his experiences on each of these collaborations. Each Sunday, he reveals another teaser, and from now on so will we. So be sure to return to this page regularly and find out the wonderful world that is 'Collaborations 1'.
Intro
One of the artists I have seen perform the most, is Belgian drone-ambient/post rock act Stratosphere. A few years ago, I reviewed his previous album, 'Rise', as well as several of his concerts following that release. Eventually, on Dunk! Festival, we got acquainted. We became facebook friends and we ended up chatting either online or in real life. At one point in that history Ronald discovered my own project, Misantronics. Today, I am incredibly honored to be a part of Stratosphere's new album. However, in that case, I guess a little disclaimer is due here.
This review is not the result of me being on it, even though our song 'Thrive' has become one of the best tracks I have ever been involved in. This review is here because 'Collaborations I' is a breathtaking album and a career defining piece of work. With a little help from his friends Stratosphere has reinvented himself. And to toot my own horn: I saw that coming.
This review is not the result of me being on it, even though our song 'Thrive' has become one of the best tracks I have ever been involved in. This review is here because 'Collaborations I' is a breathtaking album and a career defining piece of work. With a little help from his friends Stratosphere has reinvented himself. And to toot my own horn: I saw that coming.
Breaking down Barriers, Revealing the Unknown (Ashtoreth)
The album opens with 'Breaking down Barriers - Revealing the Unknown', an applicable title for this cooperation with Ashtoreth. Ashtoreth appeared to be the one to almost literally break down barriers and revealing the unknown in Stratosphere. Since those two have been playing together, Ronald transformed from a methodical music engineer to an almost fearless improviser. That evolution spawned an amazing piece of gloomy drone ambient, complete with Ashtoreth's shamanic vocal efforts. It's a perfect opener for a massively enjoyable album.
Stratosphere: This track was the first improvisation Stratosphere attempted. Thanks to the support of Peter Verwimp this track succeeded so well that the foundation for "Collaborations I" was laid. It is a collage of two improvisation sessions, which led to this opener.
Stratosphere: This track was the first improvisation Stratosphere attempted. Thanks to the support of Peter Verwimp this track succeeded so well that the foundation for "Collaborations I" was laid. It is a collage of two improvisation sessions, which led to this opener.
Erratic Flow (Aidan Baker)
It's clear that I will be unable to pick a favorite tune here. Obviously each track has its own identity, depending on the featured artist. On 'Erratic Flow', Aidan Baker assists and as expected the track is a long winded piece of highly immersive guitar scapes. I love how they managed to add a sense of rhythm and something that resembles seagulls. Perhaps that is just my imagination but for me this track paints a calm blue ocean. I don't care if that sounds cliché.
Stratosphere: This track proves how well a fusion of the slow underlying flow of Stratosphere and the melodic input of Aidan Baker can work. Relaxing and disturbing at the same time, it is possible.
La Vallée de la Somme (Georgeson)
Here the incredible amount of variation starts opening up. Georgeson (Celestial Wolves guitar player) delivered a beautiful piano track on which Stratosphere installed an amount of soothing soundscapes. This would make a perfect intro for a gothic metal album, but it is also excellent post rock and if you add a female vocalist you'd have a perfect pop ballad. Remarkable.
Stratosphere: I was extremely surprised that Joris De Bolle delivered a piano track. What a perfect opportunity to complete the well-known Stratosphere sound with piano. This is probably the most listener friendly track on "Collaborations I"
Lesum (N (63))
One of the longest tracks on 'Collaborations 1' is an enigmatic improvisation with German guitar drone artist N. Here, you can sense the careful exploration of the the whole live-improvising experience. 'Lesum' has become a otherworldly and rather harsh piece of drone ambient with a narrative and adventurous undertone.
Stratosphere: Lesum is an onetake live improvisation recording, together with N. Never before Stratosphere had dared to do something like this. Again a scoop!
Thrive (Misantronics)
Right, this is where my work as a music journalist and my musical adventures meet. I'm incredibly proud of this track. I gave Stratosphere a bunch of electronic sequences and drums to play with and he turned them into a powerful post rock track, perhaps the heaviest tune on this album. I love these distorted guitars and the dreamy soundscapes.
Stratosphere: I already knew that Serge Timmers is a magician with words, but this track proves that he can also do it with sounds. Synths and electronic drums provided me with another big challenge, one I gladly accepted.
Within the Unintended (Distant Fires Burning)
Perhaps this track is the soothing counterweight to the heavy approach in the previous one. Here, guided by the calm bass guitar of Distant Fires Burning, Stratosphere allows his ambient soundscapes to freely ripple through the air. I like the jazzy approach of this track, it once again adds to the variation on 'Collaborations 1'.
Stratosphere: With minimal electronic percussion and a modulated bass guitar, Gert De Meester created the foundation for this track. Since it was very serene, it decided for Stratosphere to follow this flow to complete the most relaxing track from "Collaborations I".
Core (Dirk Serries)
Obviously, Dirk Serries needs no introduction. He is also no stranger to working with Stratosphere. They have released a cooperative album before, loaded with blissful ambient soundscapes. In that aspect, 'Core' is mostly a beautiful continuation of that friendship, a splendid track to induce some dreams about wintry landscapes.
Stratosphere: It can only be called an honor to cooperate with Dirk Serries again. This time, Stratosphere laid the foundation for a track which only Dirk Serries could so masterfully turn into the solid 'Core'.
Desolation (tour & drums) (Karen Willems)
Stratosphere: 'Desolation' appeared on Stratosphere's previous album 'Rise'. This track is one of my favorite live songs, it has been on my playlist for quite some time. Recently, this live experience became a new composition, supplemented with a live drum loop. None other than Karen Willems could, with her own style and her live drums, evolve this track.
Come back soon to hear the teaser
Until We Meet Again (Jesse Massant)
Something we didn't have on a Stratosphere record now suddenly appears: vocals. This highly enjoyable outro, which is a bit too short if you ask me, contains a nice spoken word track, plus some playful guitar plucks and soundscapes. This track shows that Stratosphere is not done experimenting, growing and evolving. I surely hope we meet again soon.
Stratosphere: The genius of Black Narcissus contacted Stratosphere a while ago, and it was soon clear that both were on the same wavelength. His basic track was short but so brilliant that Stratosphere only had to attach his well known sound.
Come back soon to hear the teaser
Conclusion: 'Collaborations 1' is a fantastic album, a well succeeded experiment that shows how magical musical cooperation can actually be. I'm sure that Stratosphere has learned a lot from recording this album and I'm sure he will showcase his new skills on stage very soon. I guess it's no surprise that this thing comes highly recommended, otherwise I wouldn't take the effort of writing such a lengthy special about it, right?
Serge
Serge
