Customer Reviews

Sonic Diary - Mixed

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In response to a review I saw here earlier, yes, like many bands, Electric Skychurch has gone through member changes - I think change gives opportunity for growth - which is good isn't it? I noticed in the liner notes that some of these tracks are 8 years old, apparently previously unreleased, and I imagine this is where the word `diary' comes from in the title. I was turned on to the first Electric Skychurch releases here in LA, the first was ambient with some dub influences - the second lost a member and added 2, reflecting their live show dance oriented format - this one is more in the direction of the first one.

This new release takes the ambient work to a new level of sophistication: a journey through fractalized sequences, making up a harmonic sea which morphs into resolved structures often meditative, and at other times awakened and uplifted. A lot of it has great three dimensional head spaces - great with headphones. James Lumb is clearly a master of knobs, mice, and keys. (You can check out MP3 samples at the Skychurch website.)

This release explores a wide range of aural emotions: love and angst - carefree - concern - dark and light textures with minimal beats. I found it to be a perfect sound track for scoreless 60's japanese spy films, Barbarella, world news.. mix it in at home w/ Barraca or Quoyanisquatsi for a nice trip. Or try it the Brian Eno way, just barely audible so it blends with your own environment becoming your own `Sonic Diary'.

I really like the direction the remaining member of The Electric Skychurch (James Lumb) has taken. With the more percussive influence of his bandmate from the previous 2 albums will be missed, this more ambient sound is definately a winner.

I am a fan of the previous 2 "dessert trance" CDs the Skychurch put out. Great music, and not just for a dance floor. However, I have to say like this 3rd album better. It is one of those CDs you can put on repeat and have play in the background all day without getting sick of it. It is soothing enough to serve as ambience yet intricate enough to give you something to listen to if you want to pay attention to it and play it loud.

Most of the other reviewers compare this to the Orb's music. I guess they are in the same genre, but the sound in different, with one being neither better nor worse than the other.

Standout tracks are Heaven, Lightwaves, Full Moon Generator and Baroque Dome.

Electric Skychurch's two Moonshine albums are classics but this CD though, blew me away. It is a sly mixture of mellowness, keyboard ambience and the occasional dance beat that twist and turn into something really neat. James has created a CD that truly showcases his skill for creating and making electronic music that keeps the listener involved. I must applaud Mr. Lumb for an exceptional CD of killer electronic music. I know people compare it to the Orb, but I would dare say that this is more akin to the groundbreaking work of Brian Eno circa Nerve Net (or even his Music For Airports CDs).

Keep up the killer sounds James...From your loyal fan, Jeff.

I love this record. It is very beautiful and romantic. I've been a Skychurch fan for years and feel this is the best record yet. Electric Skychurch has matured beyond what you would expect from a techno band. I've listened to it several times, and each time I hear new things. Bravo!

When I saw that Electric Skychurch had put out another CD I was excited, having heard their previous CD Knowoneness, but was somewhat disappointed. Yes it was OK and good for background music but it does not have the rhythms that made their prior compilation a pleasure to listen to. I found myself thinking that this endeavor was tired although they do add in some updated synth sounds and techniques. If you love this group then you will still want to purchase it but if you are unfamiliar with the group try their earlier works first.

spirited and joyous electronica/ambient that ventures into interesting soundscapes. I discovered this band through internet radio and have been hooked ever since. It's soothing and energizing in the best ways. I look forward to future output by these sonic psychedelic innovators!

I should also ask, do you like electronic music made by creative, original and deep thinkers? If so, I recommend the Skychurch. James Lumb and David DeLaski made a cool ep and CD many years ago. I caught one of their shows during that period and they just FLOORED ME. Fast forward to 2001 and we have the new release from Electric Skychurch. Deep, spiritual ambience interspersed with great beats is what this CD is about. This CD is perfect for fans of the Orb or ambient/chill out music (makes sense as the label this release is on is a pioneer of the "chill out" sound).

FYI - Electric Skychurch was one of the original "desert rave" groups and are part of the clique that spawned such cool west coast djs as John Kelley. This CD is not to be missed...I promise!

I love this record! It is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. I have been a Skychurch fan for years, and really love the music. Sonic Diary is different than the music Skychurch made in the 90's, and has matured beyond what you would expect from a techno band. I think it sounds great! A very modern, romantic record!

I bought this album right after it came out a couple of weeks ago since I am a huge Skychurch fan from Tacoma, WA. I read a review that said it was the best album since the ORB's debut...well as one who knows, I'll tell you that this SONIC DIARY album is better than any ORB album I have bar none. It is insightful, delicate and so beautifully ambient that I have listened all the way though at least 10 times already. Being that the mix from one track to the next is so seamless, it doesn't pay to cut from one song to another. Just sit back and chill with it for at least one hour. The one beat-ful track HEAVEN should be in a movie or something, because it rocks. This CD is awesome and deserves five stars!

Awesome. I really like this record. I really like all of their records.