The King Beneath the Mountain

Surface of Eceon

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 13, 2001)
• Original Release Date: November 13, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Strange Attractors
• ASIN: B00005QKFB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #364,894 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Highly atmospheric and occasionally transcendent, Surface of Eceon uses layers and layers of processed guitar to create evocative, otherworldly soundscapes. Riding on propulsive, though understated, rock drums (reminiscent of Neu!), and melodic, repetitive bass lines, the shimmering, reverb-drenched guitars build, slowly developing edifices of modern psychedelia. Each piece has a distinct sonority, some more aggressive than others, but the overall effect is similar: a sonic description of deep space and distant textures. Though the influence of Sonic Youth is prevalent-- fast strumming techniques, unconventional tunings, and abundant feedback--SOE soften and de-fang it through an omnipresent reverb that gives everything a spacey, ambient feeling. The packaging provides further evidence that Surface of Eceon's use of electric guitar is more about fanciful otherworlds than urban realities. Tales of mythical planets ruled by grasshopper kings grace the cover, and the listener is invited into the "vessyl of sound." Whether one finds this enticing or silly, the music within brings "space rock" into the 21st century in an innovative and expressive manner. --Wally Shoup

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Impressive Trip, April 1, 2002

By	L. Jordan Bickel "Technomonk" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The King Beneath the Mountain is beautiful without being sappy or wistful. Its awash in guitars and large sound scapes.
It is great atmosphere music while being complex and deep enough to listen closely to over and over...

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surface Of Eceon - 'The King Beneath The Mountain' (Strange Attractors), February 9, 2007

By	Mike Reed (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Superb atmospheric transcendent, krautrock-influenced 21st century space rock, would be the best way to describe this first of two (so far) piece of work by Surface Of Eceon. Know I've seen their name before. Tunes here that'll your hairs standing on end are the wailing opener "The Open Sea", "Grasshopper King" and the sixteen minute tripping "Ascension To The Second Tier". Should likely appeal to loyal followers of Bardo Pond, Abunai!, Windy&Carl, Kinski and possibly Flying Saucer Attack. Simply a must-have.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent instrumentals, May 14, 2006

By	John L Murphy "Fionnchú" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Spacemen 3, Eno, Kinski, Krautrock, Pink Floyd in their spacy early stage: these all can be tasted by those sampling this instrumental mix of ambient beauty and sinister tension. Well-crafted, varied in textures and rich in detail of sounds layered and sequenced slowly and inexorably: this is intelligent music too loud to chill by, too complex to dream by, but just right to think by. This and their second album showcase this enigmatic collective's talent, and I only hope that more of their music makes its way to the surface.