Still Life
(RMC SG 12)
This is the second release I have heard from Amongst Myselves(aka Steve Roberts), the first one being The Sun In The Bottle, reviewed last year. This is also a more consistent recording and one which further finds him exploring ambient terrains, predominantly in the area of atmospherics and space music. Still Life comes across as polished and smooth, an album which has had much thought go into it, certain musical passages heading off into beautiful silences. The ghosts of his musical influences are still there as on the previous release. I am reminded of the likes of Kitaro, Tangerine Dream, even Vangelis. I also appreciate the fact that he has resisted the urge to compose dramatic music. In fact, this album is completely the opposite. It aims at a sense of serenity, a quiet space one can retreat to and float away with, if need be. Some may see this release as heading towards a more classic ambient direction, coupled with environmental sounds, predominantly water and birdlife. After all, those afore mentioned were all early 70's and 80's pioneers of the synthesizers who went on to inspire others to explore the ambient genre further.
Some will hear this as new age, others will hear space music. It will sit comfortably on both sides of the fence.
Ra's Playground opens the album, clocking in at over 11 minutes, allowing the artist to explore themes and moods which will be further explored throughout the album. The piece itself is one long sheet of sound, with occasional narrative being read (possibly in Russian). Over this continuous sonic sheet are layers, or waves of sound, as well as environmental sounds, sometimes it sounds as if it is birds, sometimes it doesn't. Other pieces are almost cloudlike in their structure, the music drifting along, gently bobbing to and fro in some sort of delicate vaporous existence. Occasionally Amongst Myselves allows himself to get a bit cosmic, incorporating rocket lift offs and the like to his music. Ship Of Dreams is about as dramatic as you'll get on this recording. Having lifted off, (the sound of afterburners almost vibrating my Epos speakers off their stands), we drift along in outer space, content no doubt to look down on the blue green planet beneath us.Pure Vangelis in its construction and theme. The space theme continues for some time, with what sounds like bullroarers and whirlwinds coming in at some point, to eventually ground the piece. It's the sort of thing Steve Roach might do.
