seven

I am not sure what to think of this release. it serves as a great background music and has a gentle spacey feel to it that, when you listen closer, reveals plenty of weird bizarre elements thrown in to the mix. at the same time, when you start listening even closer, most of the tracks are composed around of quite simple techno movements that are nothing really intriguing and new. and then again, once I shift the focus away from technicalities, something that could be called a "spirit" of the album comes out and envelopes me again. I guess this constant shifting balance of familiar yet strangely alien themes is what makes it so intriguing.

one of my absolute favorites is closing "affirmed" that mixes groovy electronica with warm glowing strings and distinct basslines; very addicting, melodic and catchy. opening "carrier tone" is yet another variation - it is filled with myriad of small weird noises, samples that fill the meaningful pauses between bouncy fast-paced drum&bass and lush beautiful string movements. following "muscaria" is full of basslines and spacey melodic passages sprinkled with more random samples and noises.

slow deep groove of "the guide" mixes well with pleasant breakbeats/drum&bass combination and glowing playful melody. the word "squarepusher" would not leave my mind, being completely inappropriate here. yet another of my favorites on this cd. rich and funky "chrysanthemum" seems to almost capture slipping theme of this album. it is full of gentle light melodies, deep with multitude of noises and samples and keeps flowing effortlessly guided by deep basslines.

it is hard to pinpoint the main theme of this cd; beneath of what seems to be pleasant but almost generic electronica hide many elements that seamlessly work their way into the music building a distinct and interesting harmony. after a few listens the only thing I am sure of is that I like it, and maybe I cannot still understand why, but it just works out and maybe it simply should stay unexplained as it is.