AUSTRALIS

Lifegiving

Self-released - australiscanticum.com (2005)

Review by Bill Binkelman

Australis (a.k.a Oscar Aguyao) is an artist whom fans of Amethystium (Øystein Ramfjord), and other artists similar in style, will want to latch onto right away. Lifegiving is his debut. The CD offers yet more proof that, despite neighsayers in the new age and ambient music community, the modern existence of inexpensive and readily accessible technology which enables budding artists to release CDs on their own has resulted in an explosion of talented and accomplished musicians whom otherwise would never be heard from, much to our regret.

Lifegiving is a collection of ten tracks that crisscrosses between new age, chill-out, and electronica, with subtle world fusion/tribal elements scattered here and there. The music is highly listenable from the start, filled with catchy refrains and infectious rhythms. Yet seldom, if ever, do I discern that Australis has been so overtly influenced by a single artist that I could remotely accuse him of imitation. Instead, his compositions are like extrapolations from jumping off points, so that "Concillation" takes Ryan Farish's echoed piano and electronica beats and removes some of the more "pop" elements, replacing them with subtle echoes of the Mediterranean and a dose of mystery. "Turning Point" introduces quasi-Vangelis drama and power, as well as shadow and fog (opening strings and timpani morph into swirling organ and distant church bells, yielding to a familiar sounding Vangelis-like synth melody). However, Australis then introduces midtempo ethnic beats and a solo violin which again veers the music into a decided world music vein (this time, Eastern European). "The Sound of Hope" begins with lush washes of keyboards and evolves into high hat and bass beats, a la Amethysitium or even Enigma (minus the whole chant aspect of the latter), and adds some echoed piano for good measure, so similarities to Farish surface again. Closer in spirit to Enigma is "Fire Tamer" which has one of the most irresistible rhythm tracks on the CD; it really gets into your bloodstream. The music itself is fiery and exotic, so it's not garden variety chill-out, that's for sure.

That's what impressed me to no end with Lifegiving as well as Australis being a first-time artist. This album just overflows with imaginative wrinkles on subgenres that some may consider played out, reinvigorating them with exciting musical cross-pollination. "Between the Sun and the Moon" blends an opening salvo of retro synths with neo-classical solo violin and then ushers in the chill-out beats and more Farish-esque echoed piano - and then Australis turns it upside down with more retro synths ping-ponging across the soundfield and then from nowhere a Spanish guitar just dances into the spotlight for bit. All stuff this works! Oh my, does it work. Do yourself a favor and make sure your first playing of this album is on headphones. Australis produced and apparently engineered the recording by himself and it's slick and professional (the comparisons to both Amethystium and Farish include the glossy production values as well). I'm impressed, to say the least.

Not everything here is bouncy and catchy, either. "Barren Lands" is a moody and visually evocative number that melds plaintive echoed piano with the synthesized whooshing of wind and a foreboding pulsing bass beat, as well as orchestral strings that weave a melancholic web of fog-shrouded mystery. I don't necessarily enjoy the eventual evolution of the song into a more dramatic and forceful piece, with ethnic hand drums and a much fuller sound, but I'll give the artist credit for refusing to be conventional! "Sacred Earth" dials up the tribal/fusion gauge, a la James Asher, with rainstick, wood flute, chugging chill-out beats, and an overall infectiousness that's hard to resist, especially coming at the end of the album. More Mediterranean influences infiltrate the track and I started flashing on Chris Spheeris' superb album Culture (another outstanding example of world fusion wedded to high tech synths!).

Is Lifegiving the best debut recording of 2005 so far? It wouldn't be hard to make a solid case for that statement. Surely it's one of the best "home-grown" recordings in the last two or three years, at least as far as I'm concerned. Frankly, knowing how Neurodisc snatched up Øystein Ramfjord off of mp3.com a few years ago, I wouldn't be the slightest bit shocked if someone from that label (I'm giving you guys a hint here, in case you don't realize it) doesn't do the same thing with Australis, unless, that is, someone else beats them to the punch. Regardless if anyone heeds my advice, I highly recommend the CD and encourage fans of the artists mentioned earlier in this review to buy this album without hesitation.