Leonard's Lair
Review: ch.pm - Alien Genome Project
Published August 9, 2008 Reviews
ch.pm is the solo project of Craig Murphy, perhaps better known as one half of electro-psychedelic outfit Shoosh. ‘Alien Genome Project’, however, is like listening to an old-school ambient record, where melodies shift extremely slowly. Indeed, Tangerine Dream and Brian Eno would certainly approve of Murphy’s work.
Although consisting of eight tracks, the album could be viewed as one long instrumental piece. As the title implies, it does recall a journey in to a world of alien lifeforms but one where said life forms are peaceful beings and no danger is ever threatened. Fragments of dialogue can be heard but they’re so buried under ambient drones, it’s hard to ascertain what’s being said. ‘Replicate’ could be accused of being a Boards Of Canada cast-off but otherwise it’s a warm, slowly shifting journey; content to drift along at its own pace.
It’s true to say that ‘Alien Genome Project’ belongs to a group of any number of records over the last thirty years which follow a similar space/alien/ambient theme For those post-midnight listens with just the headphones and a bed for company, though, this atmospheric music is the ideal solution.
Web Sites:
Craig Murphy MySpace
Musiz Zeit Download Shop Site
Further Listening:
Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, Avrocar, Boards Of Canada
Solipsism
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Friday, 4 July 2008
Alien Genome Project Review
Music Miscellany
I'm old enough to remember Erich Von Daniken and his potty theories about how earth's civilizations were brought about through alien contact. There was quite a hoo-ha about it all when I was a kid, and his books flew off the shelves. I've just glanced at Wikipedia and was surprised to learn that he's still with us, and only the same age as Leonard Cohen! Bizarre. Panspermia is the hypothesis that the seeds of life exist all over the universe, and that life on earth is nothing unique, nor even originally from here. Nice theory, but it hasn't a whiff of evidence to support it (nor to discount it – it's one of those hypotheses which are simply acts of faith). Exogenesis is something else entirely – the theory that life originated elsewhere and came to earth during the asteroid bombardment of the Pre-Cambrian era, before the planet had an adequate atmospheric shield. Anyway I digress. The reason I brought the topic up at all was that the panspermia theory is the inspiration behind Alien Genome Project, a self-released album by Craig Murphy (whose band Shoosh are featured on the Phantom Channel compilation) under the moniker ch.pm.
The album consists of drones, cosmic synth chords, and disembodied, distorted vocal samples. It has echoes of Kosmische Musik acts like (early) Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze as well as their spiritual descendants such as Pete Namlook. But there are equally nods to Stars of the Lid, Brian Eno's Apollo and Murcof's Cosmos projects. The eight tracks unfold slowly. Some are short and fragile; others, like the title track, have a suitably cosmic grandeur. "Hybrid", the closing section, has a slowed down echoing voice that has the rhythm of whale song, and sounds like the last, fading sounds of a dying civilization. It's quite a spooky end to a seriously trippy suite of music. Only it isn't quite the end. There is also a bonus 36 minute mix of the album entitled "Alien Genome Project (Full Blown)". The album is available from Musiczeit at the address below.
Tracks
Part One:
1 Source Of Light 1:33
2 Junk Code 7:20
3 Transference 5:19
Part Two:
4 Replicate 1:36
5 Mystic Structure 6:33
Part Three:
6 Source of Light (Reprise) 1:52
7 Alien Genome Project 10:18
8 Hybrid 6:29
Bonus Track:
9 Alien Genome Project (Full Blown) 36:07
Websites
http://www.musiczeit.com/directory.php?artist=439&title=ch.pm
www.myspace.com/solipsism
Solipsism
I'm old enough to remember Erich Von Daniken and his potty theories about how earth's civilizations were brought about through alien contact. There was quite a hoo-ha about it all when I was a kid, and his books flew off the shelves. I've just glanced at Wikipedia and was surprised to learn that he's still with us, and only the same age as Leonard Cohen! Bizarre. Panspermia is the hypothesis that the seeds of life exist all over the universe, and that life on earth is nothing unique, nor even originally from here. Nice theory, but it hasn't a whiff of evidence to support it (nor to discount it – it's one of those hypotheses which are simply acts of faith). Exogenesis is something else entirely – the theory that life originated elsewhere and came to earth during the asteroid bombardment of the Pre-Cambrian era, before the planet had an adequate atmospheric shield. Anyway I digress. The reason I brought the topic up at all was that the panspermia theory is the inspiration behind Alien Genome Project, a self-released album by Craig Murphy (whose band Shoosh are featured on the Phantom Channel compilation) under the moniker ch.pm.
The album consists of drones, cosmic synth chords, and disembodied, distorted vocal samples. It has echoes of Kosmische Musik acts like (early) Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze as well as their spiritual descendants such as Pete Namlook. But there are equally nods to Stars of the Lid, Brian Eno's Apollo and Murcof's Cosmos projects. The eight tracks unfold slowly. Some are short and fragile; others, like the title track, have a suitably cosmic grandeur. "Hybrid", the closing section, has a slowed down echoing voice that has the rhythm of whale song, and sounds like the last, fading sounds of a dying civilization. It's quite a spooky end to a seriously trippy suite of music. Only it isn't quite the end. There is also a bonus 36 minute mix of the album entitled "Alien Genome Project (Full Blown)". The album is available from Musiczeit at the address below.
Tracks
Part One:
1 Source Of Light 1:33
2 Junk Code 7:20
3 Transference 5:19
Part Two:
4 Replicate 1:36
5 Mystic Structure 6:33
Part Three:
6 Source of Light (Reprise) 1:52
7 Alien Genome Project 10:18
8 Hybrid 6:29
Bonus Track:
9 Alien Genome Project (Full Blown) 36:07
Websites
http://www.musiczeit.com/directory.php?artist=439&title=ch.pm
www.myspace.com/solipsism
Solipsism
Wednesday, 12 March 2008
Solarism Review At Angry Ape
Angry Ape
Craig Murphy, the Scots-based multi-talented musician/producer behind Solipsism may describe his recorded output as eclectic or experimental, but it is much more interesting than that. Murphy is nothing if not prolific, as well as Solipsism he divides his time between audio/visual vehicle Weird Fields, ambient-folk-electronic troupe shoosh and his main record label Herb Recordings. He also runs the free-spirited Ambidextrous collective, who intend to build upon the ‘pay what you want’ foundations lay by Radiohead. It’s his alternative imprint that provides the home for his last outing as Solipsism, for the foreseeable future at least, as he concentrates on shoosh and growing Herb (pun actually not intended) into Scotland’s premier label.
Much of Solipsism’s previous recorded output was borne out of collaboration and Murphy continues these trends on “Solarism”, working with Cardiff Techno warrior The Hidden Persuader on the brooding darkwave glitch of “Destruct Science”, while roping in White Label Music stalwart Jash on “Delusions Outermind”
Of his solo contributions, “Crystalism” is the most direct track, coming across like an aggressive, no nonsense Boards of Canada. Those distant synths that hallmark previous releases are intact here, layering themselves almost out of sync with the programmed beats, yet remaining cohesive. “Exit Strategy” is different again, employing thick mid-90’s beats over dripping melodies that slightly recall Wendy Carlos’ “Clockwork Orange” phase.
Although this release may lack a truly classic Solipsism number (nothing on this record touches the majesty of “At the Beach”, “Glass Rod” or “Electricity Flows in Squares”) Murphy signs this project off in style with the nostalgic “Sun Up”, allowing this piece to slowly drift out towards the horizon, while retaining that mechanistic edge that we have become accustomed to. Despite “Solarism’s” relatively short existence it is encouraging to note Solipsism has lost none of its ethereal charm. There is a feeling that there is still much to be said from this project, but for now you can grab this release free along with several others over at the Ambidextrous site.
Solarism Track Listing:
1. Exit Strategy
2. Destruct Science (Feat. The Hidden Persuader)
3. Crystalism
4. Delusions Outermind (Feat. Jash)
5. Sun Up
Craig Murphy, the Scots-based multi-talented musician/producer behind Solipsism may describe his recorded output as eclectic or experimental, but it is much more interesting than that. Murphy is nothing if not prolific, as well as Solipsism he divides his time between audio/visual vehicle Weird Fields, ambient-folk-electronic troupe shoosh and his main record label Herb Recordings. He also runs the free-spirited Ambidextrous collective, who intend to build upon the ‘pay what you want’ foundations lay by Radiohead. It’s his alternative imprint that provides the home for his last outing as Solipsism, for the foreseeable future at least, as he concentrates on shoosh and growing Herb (pun actually not intended) into Scotland’s premier label.
Much of Solipsism’s previous recorded output was borne out of collaboration and Murphy continues these trends on “Solarism”, working with Cardiff Techno warrior The Hidden Persuader on the brooding darkwave glitch of “Destruct Science”, while roping in White Label Music stalwart Jash on “Delusions Outermind”
Of his solo contributions, “Crystalism” is the most direct track, coming across like an aggressive, no nonsense Boards of Canada. Those distant synths that hallmark previous releases are intact here, layering themselves almost out of sync with the programmed beats, yet remaining cohesive. “Exit Strategy” is different again, employing thick mid-90’s beats over dripping melodies that slightly recall Wendy Carlos’ “Clockwork Orange” phase.
Although this release may lack a truly classic Solipsism number (nothing on this record touches the majesty of “At the Beach”, “Glass Rod” or “Electricity Flows in Squares”) Murphy signs this project off in style with the nostalgic “Sun Up”, allowing this piece to slowly drift out towards the horizon, while retaining that mechanistic edge that we have become accustomed to. Despite “Solarism’s” relatively short existence it is encouraging to note Solipsism has lost none of its ethereal charm. There is a feeling that there is still much to be said from this project, but for now you can grab this release free along with several others over at the Ambidextrous site.
Solarism Track Listing:
1. Exit Strategy
2. Destruct Science (Feat. The Hidden Persuader)
3. Crystalism
4. Delusions Outermind (Feat. Jash)
5. Sun Up
Sunday, 9 March 2008
Sonic Frontiers Review
Sonic Frontiers Review
Some Kind Of New Age-Innuendo...Where we let ourselves swell
For those of you who don't know him, Craig Murphy is the UK's answer for spatial construction and explorative swelling. He is best known for his ambient-electronic call sign: Solipsism, where he takes on the role of a DIY-architect, mapping his ‘self’ through spectral schematics and artistic reflections. His synthesis supplied in layers, his waves encompassing back to front, as mild glitch slightly spills into the mix.
Now, in 2008, Solipsism brings us his newest divulgence: Solarism. An ambient mix of heavily reverberated drum loops, swooning keys, and distant echoes reminiscent of a large gymnasium; Craig Murphy has finally supplied us with the next installment in his electronic progression as Solipsism. A brief ambient opus supplied in retrograde motion.
Released by the incestuous DIY label, Ambidextrous Records, this five track EP is Solipsism’s most unified effort thus far. The album pivots with the beautifully arranged epilogue “Sun Up”, an ambient and emotional sprawl that leaves you with a warm sense of tranquility and profound motivation to hit the Solarism replay button.
Following suit of the common 21st century DIY ethic; Solarism is available for free at the label's web site. (Though you should financially support these kind of endeavors whenever possible!) And the best part is Ambidextrous Records provide us with a small online archive of all the various Craig Murphy musical incarnations. He is a contributing member of the psychedelic folk band Shoosh, and the mastermind behind the ambient-soundtrack-composition project: Weird Fields, which is self-described as "…a deft juxtaposition of digital and analogue synths that culminates a unique blend of abrasive warmth, tranquility and darkness."
Solarism is a truly auspicious album. This is a release that you can let wash over you, or just as easily be taken in by Solipsism’s well-focused attention to production detail. A sparingly evident “cut-and-paste” feeling sometimes arises within tracks. However the unified feeling of the album as a whole leaves little room for mild individual song criticism. Nonetheless, the subtleties on Solarism are endless and Solipsism has delivered a very interesting and creative sophomore release.
Some Kind Of New Age-Innuendo...Where we let ourselves swell
For those of you who don't know him, Craig Murphy is the UK's answer for spatial construction and explorative swelling. He is best known for his ambient-electronic call sign: Solipsism, where he takes on the role of a DIY-architect, mapping his ‘self’ through spectral schematics and artistic reflections. His synthesis supplied in layers, his waves encompassing back to front, as mild glitch slightly spills into the mix.
Now, in 2008, Solipsism brings us his newest divulgence: Solarism. An ambient mix of heavily reverberated drum loops, swooning keys, and distant echoes reminiscent of a large gymnasium; Craig Murphy has finally supplied us with the next installment in his electronic progression as Solipsism. A brief ambient opus supplied in retrograde motion.
Released by the incestuous DIY label, Ambidextrous Records, this five track EP is Solipsism’s most unified effort thus far. The album pivots with the beautifully arranged epilogue “Sun Up”, an ambient and emotional sprawl that leaves you with a warm sense of tranquility and profound motivation to hit the Solarism replay button.
Following suit of the common 21st century DIY ethic; Solarism is available for free at the label's web site. (Though you should financially support these kind of endeavors whenever possible!) And the best part is Ambidextrous Records provide us with a small online archive of all the various Craig Murphy musical incarnations. He is a contributing member of the psychedelic folk band Shoosh, and the mastermind behind the ambient-soundtrack-composition project: Weird Fields, which is self-described as "…a deft juxtaposition of digital and analogue synths that culminates a unique blend of abrasive warmth, tranquility and darkness."
Solarism is a truly auspicious album. This is a release that you can let wash over you, or just as easily be taken in by Solipsism’s well-focused attention to production detail. A sparingly evident “cut-and-paste” feeling sometimes arises within tracks. However the unified feeling of the album as a whole leaves little room for mild individual song criticism. Nonetheless, the subtleties on Solarism are endless and Solipsism has delivered a very interesting and creative sophomore release.
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