ALBUM REVIEWS
|
|
ALBUM REVIEWS |
|
Divine Matrix
ATMOSPHERIC VARIATIONS AD MUSIC 14.5.12 @www.vanguard-online.co.uk
Space music for relaxation. Steve Barnes, normally a purveyor of new age music, has an alter-ego, Divine Matrix, for music a bit less sweet and more typical of the EM (electronic music) genre. That is to say, a bit more Tangerine Dream, more sequencers, more apparently rich in content, more beats. Not to say this is packed with pop tunes (though tunes it has) but the themes are a bit more in your face and repeated over and over to build that mantra effect that spaces out the mind. That and the ability to head off from the theme, noodle a bit then return with a sense of homecoming. Divine Matrix is Steve’s second DM release and an improvement. His previous set, Invisible Landscapes, was pleasant, melodic and calm without being particularly distinguished. It also had some stuttering DJ-type effects that marred the mood. This gets on with the drifting mood music, the sonorous bass, the tinkling, chiming sounds, the languid keyboards – if you know the genre, you know the sort of thing. At other times, things get more uptempo and loud than you might expect but still with a steady rhythm to keep you focussed in on the journey. This isn’t a standout release but it is a strong one and whether you prefer it to other label-mate’s work is a matter of taste. Since releases in this genre are so rare, Steve producing the work at all is still of note. He has a free release available via the link below. It gives a taste of his style but doesn’t match this release for substance. www.admusiconline.com |
