Customer Reviews

Lifetracks

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tom Middleton, if you aren't familiar with him, is one of the top electronic music producers in the world. He has worked with Aphex Twin, helping compose the classic "Analogue Bubblebath." He partnered with Mark Pritchard as Reload, Jedi Knights, Chameleon, and most famously, Global Communication. And over the last several years he has made a huge impact on dance floors as Cosmos.

Middleton's talent is for warm, otherworldly journeys into sound. Lifetracks, his debut solo album on Big Chill Recordings, is the culmination of nine years working on more personal music. Guitar chords and piano keys are featured heavily, but the result is essentially Balearic bliss. Tracks like the dramatic "Beginning of the Middle" and the brilliant "Shinkansen" pulse through aquatic, oscillating synths and gorgeous, ricocheting guitar licks.

The sensual "Moonbathing" is more successful than the orchestral "St. Ives Bay" or the sweeping jazz chords of "Yearning," which are less my cup of tea. Yet chilled beauty is all around, speaking more directly on "Astral Projection," it's shimmering melodies hovering through the darkness like bumble bees. And "Enchanting," borrowing water pump sounds from Global Communication's classic "Obselon Minos," feels like a soft kiss goodnight.

All of Middleton's music takes the listener to a deep place, either internally or within a communal setting. That's the joy on display here, the man's devotion to heart and humanity. That exuberance might be too much for some at first, but his genius for weaving acoustic and electronic sounds around an organic core rewards patience and repeated listens, making Lifetracks one of the year's ambient highlights.

This is an album I have been waiting on for over a decade. Let me explain, Tom Middleton was one half of the influential electronic bands Reload, Global Communication, and Jedi Knights. The last album of original material this man released was in 1996, so in essence, his fans have been waiting 11 years for his solo album to dawn. As this gets my vote for album of the year, there is a bittersweet side to it, 2/3 of the songs are old compilation tracks, some dating back to 1998 that are seeing their first cohesive album release here. While I'm thrilled to finally see a full-length solo album from Tom, I have listened to some of these tracks so many times, it's really hard to hear them with a fresh ear. He has, however, collaborated with several visual artists to produce videos for every track on the album, which he is performing live on an upcoming world tour. Taken with the visuals, it's easy to see the dated songs in a new light. Anyway, I'm not going to complain about being delivered fresh gold. For those of you not familiar with Tom Middleton as a producer, and simply as an eclectic DJ, you must hear what the man can do behind the keys. His classical piano training, along with a love of classic Detroit techno, and ambient pioneers such as Vangelis & Tangerine Dream, produce a unique sound that is both accessible and melodic, without sounding commercial. Imagine ambience, with melody, while flowing to the beat of life. I can see him becoming the next successful electronic act, ala Zero 7, but I, and I'm sure the rest of his fan community would like to keep him to ourselves.

I first heard "Moonbathing" on Groove Salad, and after previewing the rest of the songs, knew I had to get this album. The songs all go very well together, it makes a nice listen to play them from start to finish. Very nice music to commute to when you need something to relax you while stuck in traffic.

I heard a track of this on National Public radio and it is the latest craze of Tom Middleton. I have been knowing this man well lately, especially with his Renaissance 3D release. This album has downtempo, underground house in it. He has done a good job of putting together jazzy synths and some tracks sound like just the sort of thing for me to relax to. I'll listen to this when mixing together lentil soup or to be pre occupied when being busy. Tom continues to do a good job. This sounds like the "Cosmos". This is defintly Tom!!

I've been spending 10 years of my life reviewing all sorts of material through online portals, such as Amazon, Youtube, etc., and have spent countless hours describing in intense detail about how I thought about a particular item based on several content descriptors. I will say that, based on reviewing music albums in general, this particular album has very little for me to say about; and this is not a bad thing, it's actually for quite the good.

Lifetracks is a very rare album. When I utilize 'rare', I don't speak of the value or rarity of the album due to its relative insignificance spanned across the globe. I mean that this album is an untouched diamond. Words used in previous, immensely detailed reviews of other albums cannot begin to describe what I had felt and heard going through the album for the first time; it was much like learning to see, feel, hear, and smell, as a newborn, experiencing so many wonderful, new things at once. It leaves you with a rush that cannot be duplicated easily throughout all the experiences one achieves through one's lifespan.

Like I mentioned previously, I'm left with only to express this album with little detail. This is because, one, I think each person's experience in listening to this album will be slightly different & this uniqueness should urge you on to purchase and listen to this masterpiece. Two, because the only true way I can express how amazing this album is, would be through the direct emotions that I experienced. I will say that, Lifetracks, is a fusion of genre-less music; much like fusion in food, styles are mixed together (with unison in-mind) to create an attractive, unique experience. Taking elements from already-known genres to put together something I just cannot put words to is the best way to tell you how Lifetracks sounds. I can say that, if you are not a fan of listening through an entire album, or if you simply want a track that stands out in this album, I would very much recommend 'Moonbathing'. It has this unique chill-ness that I don't get from other tracks even in the Chill/Lounge genre. It can make you feel at peace with everything, and see just how wonderful life is; to breathe and live amongst other things living. It really also brought flashbacks of my life, and made me smile as I remembered my amazing childhood transitioning into my current-college lifestyle.

Therefore, Lifetracks is not a standard electronic album. It doesn't have the standard 8088 bass beat or anything like that (such as in progressive trance, electro, techno). It's a very niched type of album, similar to stuff you'd find amongst the rare genre 'Progressive Deep House'. It works excellent in chillout/lounge bars and nightclubs, or in minimalist-influenced modern home/apartment... a sophisticated album for the sophisticated individual.

Final message: with all quality Tom Middleton content I've heard, the tracks only get better with time; much like the aging of a fine wine or cigar. If you prefer something a bit more upbeat but still with soaring sounds that take you deep into space and the alteration of time, check out Jay Lumen. His dub mix entitled 'Feelin Good' which features vocals by Nina Simone washes over me just as powerfully as 'Moonbathing', but in a much different way.

This is an album I have been waiting on for over a decade. Let me explain, Tom Middleton was one half of the influential electronic bands Reload, Global Communication, and Jedi Knights. The last album of original material this man released was in 1996, so in essence, his fans have been waiting 11 years for his solo album to dawn. As this gets my vote for album of the year, there is a bittersweet side to it, 2/3 of the songs are old compilation tracks, some dating back to 1998 that are seeing their first cohesive album release here. While I'm thrilled to finally see a full-length solo album from Tom, I have listened to some of these tracks so many times, it's really hard to hear them with a fresh ear. He has, however, collaborated with several visual artists to produce videos for every track on the album, which he is performing live on an upcoming world tour. Taken with the visuals, it's easy to see the dated songs in a new light. Anyway, I'm not going to complain about being delivered fresh gold. For those of you not familiar with Tom Middleton as a producer, and simply as an eclectic DJ, you must hear what the man can do behind the keys. His classical piano training, along with a love of classic Detroit techno, and ambient pioneers such as Vangelis & Tangerine Dream, produce a unique sound that is both accessible and melodic, without sounding commercial. Imagine ambience, with melody, while flowing to the beat of life. I can see him becoming the next successful electronic act, ala Zero 7, but I, and I'm sure the rest of his fan community would like to keep him to ourselves.

When I ordered this CD I had only heard one cut. It is the best. The kind of music you just sit back and listen to. So light the candles and get that glass of wine and prepare to be taken away from all your troubles and stress and just float.

Don't get me wrong, this is some very good, inspired music, and naturally, this cd will get compared to Tom's glory days as one half of Global Communication. Yes, there are traces of G.C. throughout, but the daring, sprawling, super-sonic space tracks have been replaced by a more "downtempo" instrumental vibe. Again, I really like this album but I'm not sure if I'd buy it if Mr. Middleton had not been in Global Communication. I know, maybe I should get over it, right? Maybe I'm being cynical, but I worry when I hear this kind of music getting too safe. Remember when Tangerine Dream actually made great music before heading down an awful path of new age dreck? Not that "Lifetracks" is in any way that sort of thing, but if Tom's output keeps heading this way, it could very well become that. I'd prefer more synths, less "real" instruments, and more experimentation with production. But this is Tom's album, and it's a very personal, very good collection of tracks. Again, however, don't expect Global Communication or you might be in for a letdown. Then again, you could be pleasantly surprised.