ambient / electronic
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Do you know how we like to spend our evenings? Instead of watching mind-numbing garbage on television, we like playing a game of Rummikub while listening to some calm, soothing music. In the past few days, one album has been playing pretty much continuously during those evenings, which is quite a lot since the album only lasts for half an hour. That's my complaint about 'Visitor', it's not long enough.
North Atlantic Drift are Mike Abercrombie & Brad Deschamps, both residing in Toronto, Canada. They founded this project in 2011, after discovering their mutual fandom for acts like Boards Of Canada and Stars Of The Lid. A first album was recorded and released and soon the duo were on their way to become a solid name in the world of ambient music. Well, they should be, certainly with an album like 'Visitor'.
The album opens with the gloomy track 'Recluse', which reminds me of acts like Gas and Biosphere. Both names would often appear if I decided to go on a track-by-track review because, like them, North Atlantic Drift master the art of atmospheric ambient, combined with mild and minimalist percussion. The electronic beats aren't present in all tracks, which of course isn't necessary. 'Meridian' still is a beautiful piece of music, pure ambient.
That being said, I love how this duo managed to combine traditional ambient with modern electronics. It's like blending Brian Eno and Boards Of Canada into pure audio bliss. Then there's even a bit more, like the chilly sound of 'Decay' or the slightly darkjazz-induced title-track 'Visitor'. Because of that 'Dale Cooper Quartet' feel, I guess this track is my favorite but, simply put, all seven are magnificent.
Besides the names I already mentioned, I have to mention experimental ambient legends O Yuki Conjugate. They were the ones who taught me about variation in ambient music, because let's face it, variation is not very common on ambient albums. Yet, like O Yuki Conjugate, North Atlantic Drift managed to create a diverse album which remains interesting, even after about seven consecutive spins.
Only thing is, it's too short ;-)
Serge
North Atlantic Drift are Mike Abercrombie & Brad Deschamps, both residing in Toronto, Canada. They founded this project in 2011, after discovering their mutual fandom for acts like Boards Of Canada and Stars Of The Lid. A first album was recorded and released and soon the duo were on their way to become a solid name in the world of ambient music. Well, they should be, certainly with an album like 'Visitor'.
The album opens with the gloomy track 'Recluse', which reminds me of acts like Gas and Biosphere. Both names would often appear if I decided to go on a track-by-track review because, like them, North Atlantic Drift master the art of atmospheric ambient, combined with mild and minimalist percussion. The electronic beats aren't present in all tracks, which of course isn't necessary. 'Meridian' still is a beautiful piece of music, pure ambient.
That being said, I love how this duo managed to combine traditional ambient with modern electronics. It's like blending Brian Eno and Boards Of Canada into pure audio bliss. Then there's even a bit more, like the chilly sound of 'Decay' or the slightly darkjazz-induced title-track 'Visitor'. Because of that 'Dale Cooper Quartet' feel, I guess this track is my favorite but, simply put, all seven are magnificent.
Besides the names I already mentioned, I have to mention experimental ambient legends O Yuki Conjugate. They were the ones who taught me about variation in ambient music, because let's face it, variation is not very common on ambient albums. Yet, like O Yuki Conjugate, North Atlantic Drift managed to create a diverse album which remains interesting, even after about seven consecutive spins.
Only thing is, it's too short ;-)
Serge
