Weird - A Different Kind Of Normal (c) 1999 Neu Harmony
Artist....: Weird
Album.....: A Different Kind Of Normal
Type......: Album
Source....: CDDA
Tracks....: 07
Genre.....: Ambient
Label.....: Neu Harmony
Catalogue#: NH011
Encoder...: LAME 3.97
Quality...: VBR kbps / 44.1KHz / Joint-Stereo
URL.......: http://www.discogs.com/release/409641
Tracklist:
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01 Klaus To The Edge 07:31
02 Schaltzeit Nachtweit 07:12
03 9vfe10m 09:41
04 Tiefenfluss 10:43
05 Manual Gearchange (La Rd Remix) 05:19
06 A Different Kind Of Normal 26:20
07 Ausklang 05:18
Total:92,6 MB / 72:04 min
Release Notes:
--------------
The participants in this project are Jens Peschke and Andy Bloyce from
Kubusschnitt. The first thing you hear on this album is a rumbling
sequence which leaves you in no doubt that the territory to be explored
is decidedly retro. There are Tangerine Dream references but they are
mixed in equal part with Klaus Schulze and Ashra influences. The
opening track title 'Klaus to the Edge' (!) makes the Schulze reference
even more obvious. The guitar when used is very subtle giving colour
rather than dominating as a lead instrument. The sequence provides the
backbone but the accompanying atmospherics and effects are just as
effective. Some of the sounds used will make you go weak at the knees.
We are just six minutes in to this album and I'm already captivated.
Flutey synth introduces 'Schaltzeit Nachtweit' then a guitar picks out
a beautiful gentle melody, sounding a little like Manuel Gottsching. At
two minutes another perfectly crafted sequence begins to pulsate with
supporting sequences brought in to accompany it. '9VFE10M' begins with
an exquisite combination of sounds and little melodies but we soon get
into the sequences and rhythms. This is like a storm seen from a
distance creating havoc as it goes but slowly coming closer and closer.
Both power and beauty combined into one. An awesome track. After a
short introduction 'Tiefenfluss' treats us to the most bass laden
sequence so far. A brighter sequence starts to build over it and the
guitar takes the lead threatening to let rip but never quite being
allowed to. Of all the tracks on the album the next one 'Manuel
Gearchange' hardly surprisingly has the greatest Ashra influence (get
it- Manuel Gottsching?). A version of this track was first released on
Gold Tri Vol 1 but here we have the 'La RD Remix'. Cosmic twitters give
way to optimistic rhythms and restrained almost happy guitar licks,
close your eyes and images of the master cosmic guitarist will fill
your mind. We now move on to the twenty-six minute title track. Slow
pulsations and guitar as well as synth melodies set the scene, bubbling
along nicely up to the eleven-minute mark when strident sequences join
in. At thirteen minutes rhythms are added, at fourteen minutes we move
into weird territory and dive into an atmospheric pool. The images
created from now on are very dark and ominous, whether the pictures are
of deep space or dark subterranean landscapes the one constant is a
brooding malevolence which is never far away. At twenty-one minutes a
deep slow rumbling rhythm pounds out as though the devil himself is
marking out time on some vast drum as tortured souls do his bidding.
'Ausklang' follows on in similar dark territory then a melancholy piano
melody makes an appearance, beautiful in its sadness and takes us to
the end.
To sum up this is a truly incredible CD mixing many different elements
of the ôgolden eraö of Electronic Music. Sequences are used for much of
the time but they are never allowed to just run, they come and go and
are constantly shape shifting. The guitar at times provides the lead
line but just as importantly it adds an extra dimension to the overall
sound in just the right places. The music ranges from upbeat and
optimistic to dark and hellish particularly on the second half of the
title track. Recommended without hesitation. (DL)
-smd