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Wind and Wire |
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R E V I E W |
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Illusions of Light Zero Music (2002) |
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review by Bill Binkelman Here is an excellent "new" take on
electric guitar ambient music. Sylken are an
ensemble, led by Eric Hopper, whose guitar work on most of Illusions of
Light is a marvel of moody and atmospheric textures. Also in the group
are Arnold Sprogis (guitar), Joe Galifi (synths), Steve
Sauvé (synths, loops, treatments) and Wally
Jericho (trumpet). Hopper, by the way, also contributes synths
and loops. As with most ambient collaborations or ensembles, it's almost
impossible to determine who is doing what on any given track (the exception
being Comparing the music on this recording to anything else out there is more or less pointless. Every now and then I thought to myself, "Hey, that sounds a little like…." But for all intents and purposes, Sylken is an original and creative group. "Fearless," which opens the album, displays their uniqueness nicely, with its opening looped melancholic echoed guitars and soaring lead lines played over a bed of synths. Later, the track brings pulsing midtempo synth rhythms into play, along with more dramatic keyboards. The lead guitar lines sting and cry amidst this undercurrent - well-engineered, I might add, with every instrument expertly-placed in the mix. For me, the highlight of this excellent album is
the third track, "Spiral." Opening with spacy
synths, the cut veers straight into space-jazz
territory with the blending in of brilliant subdued muted trumpet played by Besides the more guitar-oriented tracks (which
comprise most of the album), there is a serene (almost new agey &endash; in the best
possible sense) short piano/synth piece
("Island") which serves as a nice "break" from the
overall mood of melancholy and the darker emotions that permeate the CD. Most
of Illusions of Light is like the last two tracks (both of which clock
in at over ten minutes) - forlorn, and even sad, electric guitar plucked and
strummed notes and chords, processed yet distinctly recognizable (something
like the more overtly guitar offerings from Jeff Pearce, although only
peripherally like his music), with an undercurrent of synths.
The music is much more textural than melodic, but it's a helluva
lot more enjoyable, for me at least, than the current drone recordings which
everyone else seems to orgasm over these days. Make no mistake about it -
this is music. In fact, at times, it's downright beautiful (the song
"Illusions" has moments, when the pealing guitar notes bounce off
of sparkling synth notes, that
are positively enchanting). "Sleepless" closes the album with one
of the more intriguing selections - gentle rhythms accompany looped guitars,
a lonely lead guitar line, and mysterioso
electronic effects buried deep in the mix. Of particular note on the album is
that "Spirals" and "Illusions" were recorded live at Illusions of Light will, of course, appeal more to guitar fans than to hardcore Eno purists. Not as rambunctious as Jon Durant nor as drifting as most of Jeff Pearce's recent work (Bleed not included), the music of Sylken is well-crafted, deeply evocative (I couldn't shake the feeling of profound sadness and despair that the CD sometimes brought to mind) and thoroughly engaging. This album is ideally suited for late-night listening when you need something with more "meat" but still firmly rooted in ambient sensibility. |
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