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Reviews

Brannan Lane — To Earth and Back
(Space for Music sfmBL1021, 2002, CD)

by Phil Derby, Published 2002-09-01

To Earth and Back Cover art

I was captivated from the opening drones of this CD from newcomer Brannan Lane. Swirling dervishes of ambient sound dance around. The four-part opening suite is a very free-flowing affair, simultaneously warm and dark, minimal yet accessible. Most of it is floating music, but part three changes into almost a rumba for a couple of minutes. If Yello were to do ambient space music, it might sound a bit like this. Or maybe Yello and Patrick O’Hearn? It really doesn’t sound comparable to anyone else, and that’s part of what I like about it so much. The music alternates between shimmering brightness and low drones and synth pads that tease the bass response of your stereo system. The latter half of the disc is the two-part “Boundless.” Formless sounds drift restlessly and ominously. It settles into a little more peaceful mode in part two, though still with plenty of dark shadings. Steve Roach and Robert Rich would really enjoy this piece, I think, not to mention most fans of delicate ambient music. I understand several other releases are planned soon, including a collaboration with Vidna Obmana. If To Earth and Back is an indicator of the quality, then those will be well worth hearing as well.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 25, 2002 releases

Related artist(s): Brannan Lane

More info
http://brannanlane.bandcamp.com/album/to-earth-and-back-album

 

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