Surface Tensions [Single]

Surface 10 (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 4, 2006)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: DiN
• ASIN: B000G04UKK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #706,367 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surface 10 - Surface Tensions, July 16, 2007

By 

J. Jury "Morpheusmusic.co.uk" (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Surface Tensions (Audio CD)

STYLE
Dynamic electronica ranging from amorphous ambient to rhythmic IDM. Surface Tensions delivers eleven varied pieces of synthetic experimentation where melody is often prominent; brimming with evocative atmospheres and augmented by the presence of unique organic elements. A violin, a piano, vocal snatches, operatic performance, effected voice samples and other assorted less readily identifiable sounds. Beats are lively throughout much of the album - crisp digital affairs for the most part driving the compositions into brisk movement - at times more chilled patterns lulling the music into restful serenity, there is even some jazz influenced drumming on the rolling X Tension. Surface 10 lays out rippling sequences against textured drones, delicately harmonious lines draped across spacey programming, swimming effected wavs cut into repeating loops, human peculiarities sunk into artificial fluidity.

MOOD
The mood varies across the CD - there are upbeat sections with lively structures approaching dance beats, moody passages where peculiar noises create mysterious depths, techno-ambiences and night club smokiness. At times mechanical or jerking through twisted glitches, at others smooth and drifting, occasionally dark and brooding. Moments of graceful beauty merge into uncomfortable sonic terrain without warning - gradually relenting and softening once more into restfulness. Truly Surface Tensions is difficult to pigeon hole and difficult to pin down - passing as it does through so many stylistic phases.

ARTWORK
A glossy, sharp macro photograph fills three panels of this package - glassy beads of water clinging to a metallic blue green surface their diverse domes dark with shadow on one side, touched with light on the other. Amid the larger droplets are myriad tiny liquid hemispheres - wandering the spaces. The impression is one of natural organisation, irregular repetition, unintentional artifice. The familiar DiN arrangment is employed with white panels holding titles and info. Within we find a large monochrome portrait of the artist and a second tracklist in addition to the back cover. Also thanks, credits and contact information and relevant website addresses.

OVERALL
Surface 10 is one of Dean De Benedictis' projects - here released via the highly respected U.K. DiN label. This is the second album from this partnership DiN 8 being Surface 10's In Vitro Tide back in 2000. The album is again limited to 1,000 copies. Dean has released a number of other albums under the Surface 10 title through various labels. He has also produced music under his own name and other aliases such as Cathexis, along with collaborative works as The Strato Ensemble and putting together compilations as The Fateless Flows Collective. This album fits well with DiN's growing catalogue of high quality, unusual electronica - individual, unpredictable and alternately beautiful and sombre.

WHO WILL LIKE THIS ALBUM
DiN fans will find this another worthy release from the label and Dean's supporters will not be disappointed. If you are unfamiliar with either - try this one if you enjoy ambient electronica with plenty of detail, clear beats and ample melodic content.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surface 10 - 'Surface Tensions' (DiN), January 5, 2007

By 

Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Surface Tensions (Audio CD)

A good 2006 effort by 'experimental/ambient' composer Dean De Benedictis.Liked this CD about as much as I fully appreciated his 1996 self-titled opus and 2000's 'In Vitro Tide' (see my reviews of both). Even though this title clocks in at 65 minutes, a bid shorter than the two previously mentioned discs, 'Surface Tensions' still very much holds it's own. Total of eleven tracks, with the most impressive cuts being "847 Chain Reactions", "No One Was Invited,But Everyone Came" and the heavily techno laced "See You On The Other Side" (possibly the CD's best tune here).