a r t i s t : Emeralds
t i t l e : Emeralds
d a t e : 2009
l a b e l : Wagon / Gneiss Things
c a t : WGGT01
s o u r c e : Vinyl
g e n r e : Psychedelic
r l s. d a t e : Oct/2009
t r a c k s : 04
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 50,8 MB
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*LIMITED PRESSING - EACH COPY ON RANDOMLY COLOURED VINYL*
Another ambient/krautrock/synthesizer classic is supplied by
one of the most compelling bands on the scene with this
self-titled masterpiece. After the recent rush of Krautrock
reissues from Harmonia, Kluster and Eno, 'Emeralds' seem to be
tapping into a classic analogue sound re-imagined for the 21st
century, leaving us to marvel at just how well this group have
accomplished the alchemical sound of their forefathers, whilst
also opening up their own dimension of mind-boggling tones
with a scarily prolific voracity. Released through the Gneiss
Things label of core member Steve Hauschildt, this album is
split between one side of extraordinary longform ambience, and
one side bearing three much shorter and more concise tracks of
synth experimentation. 'Overboard (Off The Deep End)' is the
perfect opener, crafting an alien environment with the
unbridled sense of exploration that guided the BBC Radiophonic
workshop's Delia Derbyshire and co, but also adding knowingly
ominous tones that wouldn't have appeared in those
soundscapes, belying a further knowledge of Tangerine Dream
and the noisily saturated textures of Wolf Eyes or Prurient,
further down the timeline. The spirit of TD's sometime member
Klaus Schulze, is then summoned upon for 'Geode', layering
synth upon synth in a sprawling mass of psychedelic drones,
only allowing a lifeline of G÷ttsching-like guitar to guide us
between the stars, before the sublime 'Diotima' brings this
side to a close with a gentle landing descent worthy of Popol
Vuh. This builds the anticipation for 'Passing Away' on the
other side, the aforementioned 18-minute longform composition
drifting from synthesized vocal drones formed into
spine-tingling harmonies, up to a cathedral-worthy crescendo
and back down to earthbound field recordings, with one
mindblowing journey in between. 'Emeralds' exceeds the sum of
it's influences, and comes recommended to any psychonauts or
synth trippers looking for a very good time. Amazing.
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01-Overboard (Off The Deep End) [04:37]
02-Geode [06:16]
03-Diotima [06:44]
04-Passing Away [17:57]
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35:34 min