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Reviews

Sun Dial — Science Fiction
(Sulatron-records st 1802, 2018, CD / LP / DL)

by Henry Schneider, Published 2019-03-04

Science Fiction Cover art

Well that was an hour of my life squandered that I will never get back. I’ve come to expect much better from Sulatron. Sun Dial is basically the solo efforts of one Gary Ramon from the UK. Gary has been in the music industry for many years, nay decades, recording for movies and documentaries. Science Fiction, A Compendium of Space Soundtracks is a collection of unreleased music of imaginary soundtracks spanning more than 20 years. Unfortunately the music does not live up to the album title, nor to the individual track titles. Each track has a different sound, but all follow the same format: a rhythm is set up with drums and synths with the lead layered on top. This album could have benefitted from a better mix, deemphasizing the rhythm, percussion, and synth effects and emphasizing the lead. But this is the typical trap a solo artist falls into, there are simply not enough outside ideas at work. Sun Dial is ostensibly a band, but it comes across as a solo effort. The music does not convey anything like science fiction or soundtracks, it is basically electronica, not even remotely experimental like the Forbidden Planet soundtrack. I just got rapidly bored with it all. Perhaps the only redeeming track is the opener, “Hangar 13,” and the bonus, “Hangar 13 Long Version.” This track is a long drone piece with pseudo-tamboura with accompanying flute, acoustic guitar, and floating glissando sequences. Not at all recommended if you are looking for some tasty cosmic flights of fancy or experimental sci fi music. But if you just want some MOR pleasant repetitive music that does not demand your attention, this album may be for you.

Filed under: New releases, 2018 releases

Related artist(s): Sun Dial

 

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