Customer Reviews

Slim Westerns

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

 

 

Mentioning the name of O Yuki Conjugate (members of which participate in "A Small Good Thing") could be a guaranty.Slim Westerns is ambient atmospheres that are stronlgy filtered -musically and aesthetically- by the (wild) West and its legends making this CD a perfect soundtrack for a Western film.It is amazing how minimalistic the music is (compared to OYC's but also other ambient artists') yet "filling" the atmosphere, probably due to the sparse "strategically" placed guitar chords and the carefully selected samples.The whole result gives you a feeling of warm solitude, just like a high noon in the middle of Arizona desert or one of those post gold-diggers' era "ghost cities".

First I must start out by saying that I really love this CD, although for years I only had a copy of it on audio cassette. I always kept it in my car, as this was by far the most soothing piece of music I owned. The main reason I kept it there was that I quickly discovered this is the perfect album to listen to while driving in really bad snow or ice, as it's so well-paced and relaxing it's just about impossible to get impatient and try and pass on a curve, speed, or try some similarly stupid maneuver on bad roads as this is just the most calming, relaxing thing to listen to. And the irony of the vast, arid desert expanses the songs conjure in your soul Vs the swirling wasteland of snow outside my car windows always made me forget all my cars, snuggle down in the seat, and happily drive 25mph all the way home.

Mentioning the name of O Yuki Conjugate (members of which participate in "A Small Good Thing") could be a guaranty.Slim Westerns is ambient atmospheres that are stronlgy filtered -musically and aesthetically- by the (wild) West and its legends making this CD a perfect soundtrack for a Western film.It is amazing how minimalistic the music is (compared to OYC's but also other ambient artists') yet "filling" the atmosphere, probably due to the sparse "strategically" placed guitar chords and the carefully selected samples.The whole result gives you a feeling of warm solitude, just like a high noon in the middle of Arizona desert or one of those post gold-diggers' era "ghost cities".

If you have ever been stuck in the desert, under a paisley sky, during an intense thunderstorm; with a guy following you, and he is strumming his guitar very slowly as you pace through the arrid landscape...then you would know what this disc is like. And that is not a bad thing.

For three guys that have never been to the desert (let alone the US)this is an incredible sounding re-creation of what people call to mind when thinking of the South Western deserts.

The ambient synths are long and very low key. The guitar is plucked or strummed or smacked very loudly, then disappears into a haze of deep keyboards and handheld drums (which are distant and effective in their minimalistic usage).

When there seems like nothing is happening in the songs, there is...if you listen carefully. The spaces and pauses between the music actually make music and it makes you appreciate the limited use of acoustic guitar and drums.

This disc is really odd in its effect that it creates. It is, at the same time, very relaxing/soothing, and energizing for the imagination; allowing it to run wild and explore new heights in music.

One of my personal favorites.

Real Real Fake Soundtrack Stuff from the master of such, Barry Adamson! A real treat to his hardcore fans, and an interesting place to start...