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Andy Benford
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In the product info Matthew says ”I have been asked what this album is about and what it means. I’m reluctant to give an answer to that, partially because I don’t know for sure myself. Partially because I don’t want to colour people’s imagination when they listen to this album”. So we are given a sonic painting with which we are asked to allow our own images to be evoked. Hmmm, do I counter Matthew’s intent by saying what images arose for me as I played the music? I quite enjoyed listening to this, especially when tired and half drifting off as the images became quite intense. I would have given the album more stars but the first two tracks are 30 seconds of silence and 45 seconds of what sounds like a woodmill. The last track is also mainly field recordings, birds, footsteps, a car driving – towards the end some created sounds slowly rise and fall with another 30 seconds of silence at the end. But tracks 3–7 are where the sonic paintings by Matthew evoke most deeply the sort of imagery he describes as his aim. Matthew creates a shifting and shimmering wall of sound with drones that sound delicate and complex. If you could hold one you might find many fragile layers closely woven together, creating something different from it’s parts. Some are discordant or metallic and others more harmonious, evoking a different imagery. Field recordings do appear in these tracks, wind, birdcalls and insects in flight amongst others, but I felt they supported and complemented the soundscapes they appeared in. I have decided not to describe the imagery I saw. It may be that those who listen to the album will have to contact Matthew and share the effect the music has on them. Maybe he will say if it is close to what he sees, but maybe he won’t… 3˝ Stars (out of 5) |
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