Customer Reviews

Easterly 6 Or 7

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I find this to be Rapoon's most beautiful CD, with Tin of Drum running a very close second. His Zoviet France roots show rather prominently in this release, coupled with his own very distictive, sumptuous approach to sound loops and layered, humming, shimmering ambience. The mood is still dark and contemplative yet full of sonic sensuality, using 'middle eastern' rhythmic pulses and subtle vocalizations (both looped and spoken) add to the hypnotic effect.

Neither 'obvious' nor 'easy to digest', Rapoon's music always hits me right in the solar plexus as he masterfully conveys such a wide range of emotions without resorting to melody or standard musical cues.

Fans of Zoviet France, Lull, Coma Virus might do well to give Rapoon several attentive listens.

About 7 years ago I discovered Zoviet France. It was the "music" I had been waiting for all my life--it changed my sense of "music," of the appreciation of sound, in a fundamental and permanent way. For nine solid months, I steeped myself thoroughly and exclusively in "Mohnomishe," "Shadow, Thief of the Sun," "Look Into Me," and "Shouting at the Ground." In the car, at home as I read, in my Walkman as I worked, it was a continuous backdrop. When I emerged, I perceived all other "styles" of "music"--"rock", "country", "alternative", "rap", "classical," "world", "jazz", "polka", etc.--as being essentially the same, all equally shallow, tinny, and preposterous. This effect has worn off somewhat, but my soul is still firmly attached to Zoviet France. I despaired when I realized that Zoviet France was no more, but brightened when I found that its guiding light--Robin Storey--continued his explorations under the guise of Rapoon. I like Rapoon--a lot--but most of what I have heard has diverged from Zoviet France's original vision, it seems to me, and the experience is basically different. But this work, Easterly 6 or 7, is like a cool breeze from the past: the sound and feel is precisely back in Zoviet France territory, with a smidgen of Rapoon mysticism edging the borders. It has become an instant "old friend."

Easterly 6 or 7 (1997) Staalplaat

When I first heard Rapoon I was head-over-heals
floored. A darker brew of ambient was in full
swing and Storey was doing it with craftsmanship.
The music seemed like a breath of fresh air.
I was dimly aware of Zoviet France (owning a mere
three or so albums from their impressive catalogue),
but hadn't found their sampling and editing
techniques (Collusion, Digilogue, In.Version etc.)
all that much to my liking.
There is still a lot of Zoviet music I've never heard
though (on the other hand, "What Is Not True," is an
oddly compelling piece I've never been able to
part with). Additionally, I couldn't afford ALL of
the tremendous output of fine ambiant works that we were
hit with during the mid-to-later 1990s. Then one day
I walked into a store and saw several Rapoon disks on
sale. I listened to one of them for a few minutes (I
think it was Darkness By Light) and just wound up
buying nearly all of them. Easterly is solid Rapoon
and represents a unique 'groove' for Robin Storey.
If you haven't heard his other music, start here!
-Matt

Robin Storey has an inherant sence of mysticism about him. Now and when with Zoviet France he brought a foreign ingredient to the arrangements. Here on 'Easterly 6 or 7' like someone whispering, echoing noncomplicated compositions employ untraditional simplicity. The listener is immediately entrapped with a sence of intimacy within these serene yet dark pieces. At first this music comes across as casually arranged. But soon one realizes there indeed is an intended asthetic arrangement about it. Rapoon has adherent supporters which follow Robin through various phases. This CD has a more ambient focus than the usual music we expect from Storey. Hard to digest for a novice ambientarian. Always inclined to a unique stylishness Rapoon generated a significant CD with 'Easterly 6 or 7'.