Arcane - Pulse (c) 2007 Synth Music Direct
Artist....: Arcane
Album.....: Pulse
Type......: Album
Source....: CDDA
Tracks....: 10
Genre.....: Electronic
Label.....: Synth Music Direct
Catalogue#: n/a
Encoder...: LAME 3.97
Quality...: VBR kbps / 44.1KHz / Joint-Stereo
URL.......: http://www.discogs.com/release/1195259
Tracklist:
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01 Hel Bound 05:36
02 Aftermath 06:12
03 Slaska Escape 05:33
04 Dobranoc 06:29
05 Hymn 08:09
06 Route 216 05:44
07 Ulica Brzozowa 08:38
08 The Kashubian Connection 15:44
09 Pulse 06:46
10 End Titles 06:29
Total:100,5 MB/ 75:20 min
Release Notes:
--------------
'Pulse' is one of Arcane's lesser known film soundtracks, a police
thriller made in 1981 and set in Northern Poland on the Hel Peninsula.
It's of some surprise that it's finally seen the light of day such were
the contractual issues around the film's ownership. The film's Polish
director, Ulap Wellar, hit financial difficulties because of the number
of Trabant cars that were trashed in the complex car chase scenes and
had to seek financial backing. Hence the film's ownership remained
embroiled in deadlock until very recently.
In isolation, many soundtracks can be hit-and-miss affairs. Glimpses of
brilliance outweighed by filmic acoustics which become lost without the
visuals. 'Pulse' is a completely different matter. Though the perfect
backdrop to the cut-and-thrust action, as a stand-alone Electronic
Music album it is a total masterpiece. Anyone into Arcane's 'Way Out',
'Hyperbole' and 'Alterstill' albums will be completely knocked out by
the tracks presented here. The DNA of those albums are stamped all over
'Pulse'.
The opener 'Hel Bound' creates an ominous tapestry before a totally
captivating sequential/percussive rhythm takes centre stage. The guitar
synth solos are genius. The whimsical middle-8 at the track's
centre-point is infectious genius the likes of which only Arcane, and
Johannes Schmoelling, can create. A phrase here, a chord there. It's
instinctively right. This opener is instinctively brilliant.
'Aftermath' could be 'Alterstill Part 6'. It's totally contemporary
with that album, with careful melodics, chugging rhythms, a stripped
down air which oozes quality. The percussion that emerges sounds
straight off the title track from 'Hyperbole'. Brilliant.
A classic digi-stab opens 'Slaska Escape' which rides on an insistent
rhythm that is embellished by the sort of infectious synth soloing that
made 'Future Wreck' arguably Arcane's finest hour. Again, Schmoelling
in full-flight-Logos-mode is the over-riding imagery.
'Dobranoc' exudes latent power with synth stabs that transform into a
melodic wall of sound, and the drums are just tremendous. Strip the
components down and they are relatively repetitive and simplistic. Like
any gourmet meal, it's all about how they are put together. This is
genius, can it get any better?
The answer is yes. For simplistic genius it's hard to think of anything
topping the opening section of 'Hymn'. In fact, it's hard to imagine
anything topping the track as a whole. Melody. Sequencing. Infection.
Structure. Pace. Mood. Atmosphere. Any aspect you care to choose. This
track was the backdrop to the climax of the film. And it was not found
wanting. You can literally feel the anguish of the film's lead
character, Lekz Volar, embracing his fallen partner in his dying
moment. Cinematic and musical genius. Quite simply a masterpiece.
Yet, we are only at this expansive album's mid point. 'Route 216' is a
real chugger, beautifully constructed as multiple synth refrains weave
in and out of the rhythmic structure which changes pace and mood in
classic fashion. Beautifully composed, and featuring the most mesmeric
synth soloing.
'Ulica Brzozowa' again builds carefully, in common with all the tracks
on this album there is not one superfluous moment, at no point does the
standard drop. Subliminally we find ourselves in wall-of-sound
power-house territory. The compositional skill almost defies belief.
At 15.43 'The Kashubian Connection' is the longest track and initially
shows Arcane's ability to construct abstract tapestry with the best of
them. Gradually a sequential rhythm emerges backed by a hypnotic guitar
line. Classic synth lines the "V man" himself would be proud of
permeate the soundstage. Just as you think the track is going to rest
on its already impressive laurels it shifts up a gear as the percussion
takes centre stage and lush stabbing synths scatter all before it. Then
we move into a section akin to 'Dystopian fictions' from 'Gather
Darkness' as a Logos-style sequences dance around. It's just fantastic!
It's really tough getting to this stage of an album trying to find a
different way of describing how good the next track is. 'Pulse' doesn't
make it any easier at all. All the elements are there, melody, sequence
and percussion formed into an infectious and anthemic wall of sound.
Just as you think the album cannot get any better, it does. This track
is totally astounding.
'End Titles' is a sumptuous conclusion to the album. Anyone leaving
their seat before the end of the credits will have missed another
fantastic slab of totally captivating electronic music. Another
highpoint in an album littered with them.
'Arcane' have done it again. 'Pulse' is up there with 'Future Wreck'
and 'Alterstill'. A totally essential purchase. (GG)
-smd