ambient
 |  support Merchants Of Air, check out our shop |
Two weeks ago, I reviewed the debut for Dutch black metal act Naagauk. Shortly after, I received a message from one of the members, asking me if I could lend an ear to his solo project, Frank.Wheeler. The cover art immediately grabbed my attention, obviously aided by the fact that I'm a big fan of ambient music. It reminded me of Biosphere and his glacial soundscapes. So when the CD arrived, I didn't hesitate and fed it to my CD player.
The first time I listened to this album, me and my wife were doing the dishes. Yes, even reviewers have to do that once in awhile. The second time we were playing a game of Rummikub. The third time I enjoyed this album was when I was relaxing in a hot bath, eyes closed, music at high volume. That must make this the fourth and fifth time I listen to this piece of work, and I love it time and time again.
The Biosphere reference still stands. The music on this album is quite similar, made out of a number of soundscapes, drones and vague melodies of piano or guitar. Opener 'Lighthouse' and the followers '//1995//' and 'C.B.S.' feel like one track, perfectly succeeding each other, often minimal, sometimes with a lazy beat but always nice and relaxed. In fact, until a few minutes ago, I really thought these three tunes were one long track, even though there are some pauses between them.
I guess that aspect just highlights the cinematic character of this album. You can easily imagine these soundscapes being used as the soundtrack for an independent film, possibly one with vast Icelandic landscapes. The gentle piano tune 'April's Theme', in its turn, could be used for a romantic film. It sounds playful but determined, a bit like any good relationship should be. I don't know who April is, but if she deserves a theme like this, someone must like her a lot.
'Yellow Creek Port' and 'Longshoreman' remind me of the works of people like Dirk Serries, with their gloomy guitar drones and hints of melody. Only thing is, and that counts for most of the tracks here, it's quite short. As far as I'm concerned, this music could go on and on. Personally, I simply put it on repeat, and I recommend you do the same. There are eight songs here and the whole thing clocks off at about twenty-five minutes, but you can easily make that fifty or seventy-five..
Serge
The first time I listened to this album, me and my wife were doing the dishes. Yes, even reviewers have to do that once in awhile. The second time we were playing a game of Rummikub. The third time I enjoyed this album was when I was relaxing in a hot bath, eyes closed, music at high volume. That must make this the fourth and fifth time I listen to this piece of work, and I love it time and time again.
The Biosphere reference still stands. The music on this album is quite similar, made out of a number of soundscapes, drones and vague melodies of piano or guitar. Opener 'Lighthouse' and the followers '//1995//' and 'C.B.S.' feel like one track, perfectly succeeding each other, often minimal, sometimes with a lazy beat but always nice and relaxed. In fact, until a few minutes ago, I really thought these three tunes were one long track, even though there are some pauses between them.
I guess that aspect just highlights the cinematic character of this album. You can easily imagine these soundscapes being used as the soundtrack for an independent film, possibly one with vast Icelandic landscapes. The gentle piano tune 'April's Theme', in its turn, could be used for a romantic film. It sounds playful but determined, a bit like any good relationship should be. I don't know who April is, but if she deserves a theme like this, someone must like her a lot.
'Yellow Creek Port' and 'Longshoreman' remind me of the works of people like Dirk Serries, with their gloomy guitar drones and hints of melody. Only thing is, and that counts for most of the tracks here, it's quite short. As far as I'm concerned, this music could go on and on. Personally, I simply put it on repeat, and I recommend you do the same. There are eight songs here and the whole thing clocks off at about twenty-five minutes, but you can easily make that fifty or seventy-five..
Serge