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artist · monolyth & cobalt
release · rives
year · 2010
genre · ambient
label · kesh
catalogue · kesh016
website · myspace.com/monolythcobalt / keshhhhhh.com / emusic.com
date · 23-apr-2010
quality · alt-preset standard
source · digital download
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01 harmonium melodies 2:24
02 the sleeping snow 4:22
03 road (movie) 5:43
04 stormy weather 5:03
05 domaine non-identifie 1:55
06 june and june 3:17
07 whatever you think you will die 4:20
08 rivages 6:28
09 three walks 2:49
10 silence 2:40
11 religious walks 2:28
12 guerre froid 2:26
playtime · 00h 43m 55s
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mathias vaneecloo is a versatile creator who encompasses music,
photography and art. monolyth & cobalt is his musical project and
thanks to simons scottÆs rather awesome kesh record label we are
presented with the album ôrives,ö a compilation of two previously
self-released cdrÆs.
this album in many ways personifies its creator with varying
textures applied across the albumÆs 12 tracks. opening with the
ominous yet dreamy ôharmonium melodiesö and the haunting echoes of
ôthe sleepy snow,ö lucid sounds on ôroad (movie)ö and ôjune and
juneö bring the listener into an attentive state.
ôroad (movie)ö reminds me of those early days of spring, when the
sun is higher in the sky. the warm, scattering of digital sounds
provoke images of a bright light shimmering through the gaps of a
venetian blind. ôjune and juneö continues this theme recalling the
sounds of taylor deupree and christopher willits.
mathias achieves this contrasting sound through his exploitation
of multiple acoustic instruments. ôrivesö sees him play with the
harmonium, piano, a variety of strings, melodica and he also
records some vocal effects. combining these natural sounds with a
range of electronic techniques allows the album to tick many genre
boxes spanning the drone and ambient sounds synonymous with other
kesh recordings but also expanding to more unusual fusions as
heard on tracks like ôwhatever you think will dieö and ôthree
walks.ö
in conclusion this is a record thatÆs full of detailed, strong
recordings. it is one that likes to surprise its audience such is
the ever fluctuating nature of music on display here. embodying
the versatility of its architect, ôrivesö is the product of a
talented artist who likes to adapt to different mediums and is one
to watch out for going forward. û review by josh atkin
about the release:
kesh are very pleased to release ærivesÆ, a compilation from the
first two monolyth & cobalt self-released cdrÆs. recorded between
2007 &; 2009 monolyth &; cobalt is a music project from mathias
vaneecloo, a french musician, photographer, plastic artist and
performer born in 1977.
mathias works with many acoustic instruments like harmonium,
piano, various strings, melodica and some human sound such as
breath on tape. he also uses modern technology inclusing samplers,
sequencer & effects processors but his cinematic soundscapes never
lose their organic feel and human emotion.
all of his music works are released like some book chapters, and
the allbum is like a book or like a soundtrack for imaginary
landscapes bringing to mind the film work of tarkovski, david
lynch, kubrik and hitchcock.
his music oscillates between electro-acoustic, electronica, drone,
ambient, minimalist or shoegaze. comparisons are deaf centre,
slowdive, biosphere and 12kÆs taylor deupreeÆs warmer moments
although dig a little deeper and debussy, pierre henry and john
cage can be heard as strong influences.
there are no borders to focus his feelings in sounds, he works in
this way that escapes any musical limitations which crosses
musical genres and evokes images of the past and the future
combined with his compositions.
stand out tracks include the ghostly echos of ôthe sleeping snowö,
eerie opener ôharmonium melodiesö and the warm digital tones of
ôjune and juneö.
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