[ Hypnos Forum ]

Paul Vnuk and Ben Swire - I absolutely agree that knowing how to apply compression, different kinds of EQ, multi-band compression and other studio techniques is important in forming beautiful sonics, and that having an understanding of music theory and at least one 'traditional' instrument can only be a help. I certainly wasn't speaking as an anti traditionalist, and I'm just as bored by people who are opposed to any formal musical training on principle as I am by traditional musicians who dismiss our music as not being 'real music' or old skool rock 'n' roll producers who scoff at any unusual or novel applications of studio techniques. A few folk in more noise-based 'avant garde'  circles (for want of a better word) come across as far more close minded than the traditionalists they oppose, and though they think they are free, I believe real freedom comes when you have worked hard at a form, consistently, over many years.

I wasn't speaking about collaboration, or studying music theory or production in an academic way, or even sitting down with a more knowledgeable producer or mastering engineer to listen through your work and critique it. I'm so thankful I've had those experiences, especially when they've been brutally honest - painful though they can be! No; I was specifically uncomfortable with the idea of ambient music being taught by some 'master', as if the rules of the genre have been established like the rules of harmonizing a Bach chorale. I just don't think it fits the nature of this movement (unless, like I said, we're talking about ambient-ish music for commercial purposes, like a film score or adverts or whatever), and I don't think the idea even honours the genre's traditions. Plus, we've already got too many sound-alikes as it is.    

I know this is very late, but I'd like to thank you for that review!

Here it is, in case anyone else on this wondrous corner of the internet is interested:

http://www.igloomag.com/reviews::1813::Robert_Logan_Accurate_Spit_Boy_EP_Inscape_Slowfoot_

I know I said I wouldn't bump this thread, but I listened to Inscape again for the first time in months - and unlike the feelings and disgust and horror that often permeate my brain while listening to much of my new music - I actually thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I believe the album may please other people's ears also.   

The art work/digipak is very nice, either way.

Thank you for that. An insightful interview...

Is Michael Stearns going to put out another solo album any time soon?

I didn't know about raison d’ętre's music, but I've been exploring it after reading this thread. It really is great: it's wonderful to hear ambient music with this kind of punch - some of it has got a real visceral energy to it. I suppose I should investigate the rest of the label, too.

Thanks Undershadow. I hope you enjoy the C.D.

I thoroughly enjoyed Secret Observatory and Autumn Continent - in fact I've been playing Autumn Continent constantly while doing my dissertation over here in Hungary. It fits in beautifully in these surroundings (not that it doesn't sound amazing everywhere else) and has made the experience much more bearable - even at times, enjoyable - than it would have otherwise been.

I love Mystic Chords and Sacred Spaces (and most of Steve's work), but for some reason these excerpts aren't quite doing it for me. Then again, they are excerpts, and I probably went in with the wrong expectations. The incredible artwork, some great recent Roach releases, the disc's write up and the long period the work was composed over made me expect bold and radical soundworls like the shimmering beauties that reside in Mystic Chords and Sacred Spaces or even The Magnificent Void, rather than the more subtle, vague-sounding snippets on display here (with one or two exceptions). If I give Roach's music a break for a while and buy the full product I think I'll end up loving it like usual, though. Perhaps I've been listening to too much of his material, rendering this as a bit "Roach-by-numbers" (when it may be something more special altogether.)   

http://www.projekt.com/projekt/product.asp?dept_id=&sku=PRO00228

New cd cover posted, and description of the cd.

I get the vibes already that it might be the best roach cd yet.
The cd cover looks deeply inspiring as well.

Yes, that is a very, very beautiful cover. Even though I really like the music on Stream of Thought, the cover of that release doesn't do it for me. 

Thanks for that. The video was excellent... Beautiful visuals and music.