Exposé Online banner

Exposé Online

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

Reviews

Jonathan Block — After
(Ironing Board Recordings IBR, 1995, MC)

Jonathan Block — Ether
(Ironing Board Recordings IBR, 1996, MC)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2017-06-01

After Cover artEther Cover art

Imagine that you’re taking an afternoon nap and are trying to wake up after a short but deep sleep. You are semi-aware (background voices, sounds, etc.) but you can’t make your body move. Every time you rally you slip back. Somehow Jonathan Block has captured this experience on his this cassette. Lethargic electronics wash over your ears and brain as you progress from "After," "Burrow In," " Burrow Out," through to "Inevitable." After is consummate relaxation music. Unfortunately I was unaware of its effects and made the mistake of previewing After while driving to work. Jonathan’s hypnotic electronics were so relaxing that I had to rely on autopilot to arrive in one piece. He should have included a disclaimer cautioning you about listening to this music while operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery.

Jonathan’s next cassette, Either, is much more upbeat than After. Either consists of three songs: "Ping," "Engine Room," and "Eardrum." Propelled by pentatonic sequences popularized by mid-period Tangerine Dream, Jonathan crafts an hour of excellent electronic music. Moving, swirling, and constantly changing chords and sequences makes for an enjoyable listening experience.

Filed under: New releases, 1995 releases, 1996 releases

Related artist(s): Jonathan Block / Synthetic Block

 

What's new

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