GLOBALICED

Alfred's 2016 album is the first since 2012's 'Overnight Sensation' not to feature any old recordings from his time before he worked with Rachel's Birthday, and with no guests involved this time we are down to just Alfred and his trusty keyboards (including of course programmed drums). I have said previously that Alfred's playing reminds me of Rick Wakeman combined with Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre, and this album is again on very similar lines. There are times when the music is progressive, others when it is more New Age, but never really moves into pure electronic territory. It would be interesting to hear 'Ayers Rock' with a strong proper rhythm section behind it, as I think that additional vitality would make an already interesting song even more so. Working in a band framework with live instruments would make this album even more appealing, if Alfred maintains full control and keeps doing what he is already.

Yet another interesting album from Germany's Alfred Mueller, and worth investigating from Bandcamp where it is possible to download this free

German project SONIQ THEATER is the ongoing creative vehicle of composer and keyboardist Alfred Mueller, and starting in 2000 he has steadily been releasing new material under that moniker. "Globaliced" is the 16th in the series, and was issued at the start of 2016.

Those familiar with the later works of Soniq Theater will get pretty much what they expect as far as this album is concerned. Well thought out arrangements and melodies, distinct moods and atmospheres, certain key instrument details used to emphasize the different aspects of the individual compositions, all wrapped up in and explored in instrumental music that draw inspirations from ambient and new age music just as much as the classic era progressive rock keyboardists and the sounds of artists such as Tangerine Dream. A compelling album on many levels, but suffering from the fact that everything has been worked out on and performed with synthesizers and keyboards exclusively.