Architect Of The Mind - Hollow

Advantages: Immersive, massive electronica-cum-breakbeat-cum-ambient-cum-everything
Disadvantages: Nothing

...I confess that I actually did a little reading up before writing this; I wasn't quite sure how to describe Architect. But let me instead contextualise: Trawling through eMusic I found a new album by Surface 10 that I quickly downloaded - music unheard - then followed a link to a 'similar artist' (a phrase I'm - perhaps rightly - dubious of) and listened to the first MP3 sample. It was one of those moments that I love eMusic for. Like Wolfram Spyra's Invisible Fields, you suddenly come across something that just leaps out at you. I find it quite easy to be seduced by ambient and drones but Architect just screamed: LISTEN TO ME!!! I immediately downloaded and listened; then listened again; then made sure my friend listened to it. Quite what the music is I don't know. eMusic categorises it as experimental electronica; other reviews... Read review

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Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

..., you're a suicide" for instance. The band didn't tour the album and no singles from it were released. It very quickly "died the death" and has since been virtually forgotten. HOL lined up for this set as: Guy Chadwick (guitars, vocals), Chris Groothuizen (bass) and Pete Evans (drums), with Chadwick's wife Suzi Gibbons given a credit as "band photographer". Well, you gotta keep the missus happy. TRACKS: Sweet Anatomy - Audience With The Mind - Haloes - Erosion - Call Me - Shining On - Portrait In Atlanta - Corridors - Hollow - All Night Long - Into The Tunnel - You've Got To Feel So what about the songs? As I've touched on already above, HOL were legendary for making dense, shimmering, intricately-crafted indie-rock; but here the tunes are rougher, rawer and a bit frayed around the edges, but still more than worth... Read review

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Advantages: Some strong songs,brooding and manacing
Disadvantages: some weak moments

...It is difficult to meention The Cocteau Twins without using the words 'ethereal' and ambient'.I think they always have been and always will be a group you love or hate.In my life I have done both , while they were plying their trade in the eighties up to the mid ninties I had no time for them.It was only when I was older and wiser and I heard 'Iceblink Luck' on heaven Or Las Vegas that I changed mind about them. They have always been instantly recognisable and unique, not neccessarily easy to do when you are making your music with drums, base and guitar. I guess what makes the Cocteaus so unique is the distorted and twisted guitar but more so Elizabeth Frasers haunting but beautiful voice.It wraps itself round the guitar and of course that does not take in to account her range and what most people will know about the Cocteaus that much... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful