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Review by Bill Binkelman Is this the first gothic spacemusic recording? Perhaps, because that's the prevalent mood on this fine album from Salva Moreno (a.k.a. Psicodreamics). Unlike more recent efforts (The Garden, Eternal Angel, and AzhDark Passion), Moreno eschews the more dramatic, neo-classical/neo-romanticism of those releases and heads straight into floating electronic waves of music of the cosmos. However, unlike the warm and friendly music of, e.g. Jonn Serrie or Sylken, or the darker ambient-minimalism of eM, Moreno structures his music around an abundance of minor tonalities, yet still remains almost completely melodic. The overall emphasis is dark yet suffused with Gothic romanticism, as if this were the soundtrack to a tragic space opera, full of sweeping chords, broad expanses of sad mournful refrains and yet beautifully evocative as well. What all that translates into is that The Unknown Frontier is an excellent "late night" recording, provided you're in the mood for gloomy, almost creepy, music and that you enjoy a pronounced retro sound to the keyboard (I write "keyboard" as a singular noun because, according to his website, the entire album was recorded on a Yamaha PSS-580). Some of the tracks here could be lifted from any number of 1950s or early 1960s science fiction films, and I mean that as big compliment! While Moreno meant the music as a metaphor for the borderlands between life and death (the man is definitely pre-occupied with musical religious allegory, maybe even a tad obsessed, but in a good way), I sincerely believe that the visual imagery conjured up by a lot of the music is rooted in outer space and science fiction instead. The "whoosh" at the beginning of "The beyond" launches the listener into space, as mournful but lovely retro washes impart the realization that you have left Earth behind and are headed away from hearth and home. Ringing church bells and reverberating textures instill a reverence, but one that is tinted with dread. "Imaginary Fields" shimmers with cosmic effects and warbling melodies, perhaps a musical interpretation of exploding star clusters? The title track is ushered in by the sound of muted wind and a gentle sweeping wash of synthesizer, joined by warmish retro tones. This is absolutely dead-on spacemusic or I'm no music reviewer! Later, "Unknown Boundaries" offers bubbling noises, ominous deep bassy horn-like drones and eerie electronic noise effects, as well as some cool theremin-ish tones. The first occurrence of rhythms (and I'm not sure they should be on this CD at all, to be honest) is on track nine, "Life Force," on which a subtle measured midtempo hand drum beat arises amidst the minimal drones, reverberating tones, and twinkling synths at about two-thirds of the way through. More prominent rhythms fill the next cut, "Shadow Chaser." This time they're present as steady midtempo beats which instill the sense of urgency and pursuit that the song title implies. Since the music is still dark in nature, the presence of a rhythmic song does not totally spoil the mood but it still presents somewhat of a jarring juxtaposition. There is also a bonus unlisted track (the longest one on the CD, strangely) that revisits more of the same sonic territory of the earlier selections. Originally released in 1993, The Unknown Frontier was repackaged and re-released on the German Syngate label this year and if you love spacemusic (or minor-key flowing electronic ambience in a retro vein), you should send the label a thank you card. The CD is excellent "lay on the sofa in the dark" music, atmospheric as all get out and amazingly well-engineered/produced for a single-keyboard recording. This may be the "unknown" frontier, but I'm glad it's no longer "undiscovered." Highly recommended! |
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