Exposé Online banner

Exposé Online

Not just outside the box, but denying the existence of boxes.
Covering music from the fringes since 1993.

Reviews

Astral Magic Featuring Bridget Wishart — Ad Infinitum
(Bandcamp no#, 2023, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2024-07-11

Ad Infinitum Cover art

On Ad Infinitum, Santtu Laakso teams up with space rock veteran Bridget Wishart under the Astral Magic banner. It was one of approximately 12 Astral Magic albums released in 2023, not counting singles, EPs, and compilations. Aside from Laakso (who handles composition, bass, synthesizers, beats, programming, and guitar) and Wishart (lyrics, vocals, EWI), the musicians involved are Vince Cory (lead guitar on four tracks), and Lauri Kajander (lead guitar on the other track). The music is firmly in classic space rock territory, more or less what you’d get if you crossed Hawkwind’s Quark, Strangeness and Charm with Steve Hillage’s L. That being said, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable trek to infinity (if not beyond). Side 1 of the LP version contains four songs that vary a bit in tempo and mood, from driving uptempo rockers like “Shine” to slinky grooves like “Planetary Intelligence” — actually, I’ve overstated the differences: in fact three of the four are very much like “Shine” rhythmically, though they have differing riffs and structures, while “Planetary Intelligence” is the odd one out. But in spite of the sameness, I enjoy the songs, and the trippy synthesizer parts are a highlight. Side 2 is the title track, coming in at 18:44, and it’s a gem. It goes through a number of sections, starting with synthesizer arpeggios and a spooky organ-like melody. The drama builds over a couple minutes before the drums come in, accompanied by some Gilmour-esque slide guitar. This section sounds like an alternate universe Pink Floyd going a different direction after Meddle and adding a female vocalist. The middle section settles into the kind of groove that Floyd did so well, like the middle section of “Echoes.” (Pause while I go listen to “Echoes” for maybe the millionth time in my life… OK, I’m back now.) After a moment of spaciness, “Ad Infinitum” transitions into a stately chord progression — and come to think of it, that’s exactly what “Echoes” does as well, though here the progression is more reminiscent of “A Saucerful of Secrets.” The piece finishes off with a faster section that’s back to the Hawkwind sound of Side 1, and here I can’t help thinking of Viv Albertine’s song “Still England,” which seems like a really odd comparison, but there it is. Space rock fans have a lot to love in Ad Infinitum, and it’s my favorite of the Astral Magic albums I’ve heard so far.

Filed under: New releases, 2023 releases

Related artist(s): Bridget Wishart, Astral Magic

More info
http://astralmagic.bandcamp.com/album/ad-infinitum

 

What's new

These are the most recent changes made to artists, releases, and articles.