Herd - Tangents 1- 19 - (FSOR 008)

Label: Future Sound of Rhytym
Artist: Herd
Release: Tangents 1-19
URL: http://www.archive.org/details/herd_-_tangents_1_-_19
Rating: 6.2/10

Herd from Corby, Northamptonshire provides the 8th release on Future Sound of Rhythm called Tangents 1-19, a sprawling 19 tracker of ambiance released in February. For people unfamiliar with FSOR, their previous releases have been pretty varied in sound and also in quality, falling under the wide bracket of electronic music.

The first things that strike you about 'Tangents' is the subtle use of orchestral sounds and atmospherics. The tracks, in time honoured ambient tradition, are drenched in reverb and echo with non committal melodies more hinted at than played explicitly. The tracks are very emotive and run into each other which is the most agreeable way to consume this record.

There is a coherency to the tracks and they fit together adequately but perhaps stretch the attentions span at times, though, that is more to do with the genre than an particular fault of Herd. He makes good use of stereo, using small tricks to make his swirly synths stand out. As mentioned, the tracks and essentially a lot of the ideas run into each other and are repeated sometimes from track to track, which most probably explains the title. There are times when it steps out from the established sound; track 6's plucked melody and refined string are a particular highlight, likewise the shaker in tracks 7 provides some movement and directness to proceedings.

As an overall piece it doesn't lack direction and as it really swells and grows as time goes on, the melodies get more sophisticated though they are borne from a similar palette. Track 8 has touches of Amber era Autechre, with a light echoey piano sitting perfectly with sounds that wouldn't be out of place on the Blade Runner sound track. Indeed, by track 10, there is a sci-fi soundtrack feel which is enhanced by some excellent use of delay. Much is to be admired in the artists ability to place sounds creatively in the mix and his wise choice of elements that complement each other perfectly. One major criticism would be the percussive elements; though low in the mix and not integral to the tracks they are too static and fairly unambitious.

The last third or so of the album does have a few interesting tricks left in it; track 11 stand outs with its pitch descending melody, shuffling resonance and bits and pieces of melody falling around it. tracks 16s arped melody also piques the interest before the album winds down with a satisfying bell like melody.

There are a lot of positive things to say about this album but in a crowded reverby sea of electronic ambient music its difficult to strike a claim to a unique voice. There are times when the tracks do capture the imagination but equally there are times when it all just seems to grey and your mind and hands wander towards the skip button. Brian Eno once talked of his fear that that ambient music would become to simple to make with technological advancements and with programs like metaphysical, released a few years back by native instruments being able to produce pretty breathtaking ambient results with a few minor tweaks or the randomize button, the genre has been cheapened somewhat. Its hard to think of too many ambient records in recent years that could be truly considered absolutly vital, but if you like ambient music this record at times steps above its peers and sounds very beautiful.