RICOCHET

The fact that this is a live recording increased my interest towards this album, as improvisational music done on stage is a phenomenon which fascinates me. Starting on the first side of the LP, what i don't like here very much is the used electronic drum sound, nor the exact symmetrical shapes of sequenced melody loops, but despite these factors the overall music is good still with very fascinating movements. These elements were already present in their previous studio album "Rubycon", which I appreciate extremely much. There are also some very similar themes heard here, but compared to that studio record, there isn't similar brilliant construction in the overall music, and the music isn't as sophisticated and exact as recorded in the studio in my opinion. That is also quite understandable on live improvisations, though I admit that I don't know how pre-defined the musical pieces on this album are. The first suite makes up a nice listening, but I prefer the aesthetics of the very early records of this band more though. On the B-side of the LP moods fit much better on my taste, romantic acoustic piano over lush flute sounds and shadowy synths create a pastoral like abstract realm where one can rest his or her troubled mind. Sadly this won't last very long, until the mechanical sequencers get back to business. There are also some processed voices here, which sounded little irritating to me. The end of the album is again marvelously pretty and moving, but the overall performance was bit unbalanced i think, most probably due my regards towards some aesthetic elements. Technically the record is great.