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review by Dene Bebbington This is one of the most unusual albums to have come my way. Fragment Music's website says "Peculiarity since 1984" and that's a pretty good way to describe this and other albums on their label. Sphere of Magnetick Virtue comes across as being rather experimental, and though I'm not generally keen on experimental music I did find this album interesting enough to persevere with and play several times. Apparently, it was recorded in 1994/95 and originally released in 1998; this CD version is a re-release. Coming in at a few minutes under an hour [and] split across eight discrete tracks, the sounds are varied; all the pieces are unusual with some having a more musical nature. A good example of this is the opening track "Angleland." On this [track] we hear a quickly syncopated metallic/voice sound along with Asian Indian style drums, some wordless chanting, and a twangy spring sound (a mouth harp perhaps). An odd combination on paper but it sounds okay and slightly melodic. This is the first album I've heard with a sermon on it! On the track called "Seaside Sermon" a man shouts a stream of consciousness about life and the sea, while wind and watery effects play out along with nature sounds such as the cry of seagulls. More oddity, yet it's strangely compelling. Fans of dark ambient music may like the final track "Pollination Zone" where strange and spooky effects, including occasional voices, create a disconcerting atmosphere - especially when a powerful refrain comes in every few seconds. So who is this album going to appeal to? Well, those who are not faint-hearted and willing to try something different should consider Sphere of Magnetick Virtue. It's not like any of the synth or ambient albums you're likely to have listened to before, which makes it hard (and pointless) to try and draw any comparisons. This much I can say-it's not an album to listen to in the conventional sense. I consider it more of an interesting curiosity with some nice touches. |
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