thought guild

[context]

Harmonic Resonance Recordings (2002)

Sorry - no album cover at this time

review by Bill Binkelman

Combining elements of classic spacemusic, Berlin and European (e.g. Jarre-like) EM, and modern-day electronic ambient music, the duo who call themselves thought guild (Gregory Kyryluk and Christopher Cameron) have released [context], a remarkable synthesis of older and newer styles of electronic music. Moving effortlessly from pulsing neo-Germanesque thumpers (like the opening track "distant star") to the drifting cosmic spaciousness of "lifepools" and on to the warmly dramatic analog synths, spacy effects, and eventual propulsive sequenced beats (reminding me a bit of Vangelis-meets-Jarre) on "silicon alchemists," thought guild are master craftsmen of EM. The album holds nary a misstep and contains a few surprises, too. Some tracks start off deceptively in one vein and then swing onto another musical path altogether, such as "leviathan's lament" (from floating serene ambience to rapid-fire sequencers, crashing cymbals and thundering timpani).

This all adds up to an equal dose of fun and excitement. Listening to [context] each time was like opening yet another present from under a perpetually replenished Christmas tree. I kept hearing more cool stuff that I had missed on previous listenings. The mix on this album is outstanding. Every delicious analog note, every synth wash, sequenced beat, pulse, or key is in crystal clear evidence. In fact, this CD mirrors a comment that is sometimes made about special effects movies. When a reviewer is dazzled by such a film, she or he will remark "It's all up there on the screen." (meaning that the money was well spent and is evidenced in the production values). Well, in the case of [context} it's all there in the bits and bytes!

Those of you who know their artists will, of course, recognize Gregory Kyryluk as the "man behind the curtain" in Alpha Wave Movement (EM and spacemusic) and Open Canvas (tribal/ambient world fusion). Amazingly, he has released another stellar recording closely on the heels of his amazing spacemusic opus, A Distant Signal. Since he and Christopher Cameron collaborated on this album, equal credit must go the latter as well. As to "who exactly did what" on the album, it doesn't matter in the long run. Major kudos are owed both of these fine practitioners of electronic music magic. Whether the soaring grandeur of "cathedrals of stone" (reminding me a bit of vintage "desert" Steve Roach from the mid to late '80s) or the kinetic electronic pulses/rhythms, Tangerine Dream-like electric guitar samples and classic spacemusic melody lines of "semiotic sequence", Kyryluk and Cameron have offered up a veritable treasure house of EM. It's a spot-on perfect blend of the old and the new. There's even a quirky (and short) ending track ("memento") that incorporates crickets, softly sighing synth washes, and gentle forlorn guitar (well-played by guest artist Johannes Neuer) in a great ending slice of minimalist ambience.

If you love all manner of "music electronic," especially from the days when glowing tubes and analog circuits lit up the night in artists' studios around the globe, latch onto [context] and prepare to be delighted and dazzled. From Germany to the Milky Way, thought guild are expert pilots for many a musical voyage of discovery and delight. Highly recommended!