Skyrider by Paul Nagle - reviewed by Grant Middleton
I bought this album from Paul on the strength of a clip from track
2 he'd placed on his web site. I'd buy it again, if only for tracks
2 and 3.
Paul's overall sound (on this album, at least) seems to revolve
around multi-layered sequencer patterns, unintrusive drums and
analogue abstraction.
1. Skyrider
The opener sums up the overall sound of the album. I suppose
you could consider it an 'overture'. To be honest, the track
doesn't say 'sky' or 'clouds' to me, unless you home in on
the lovely phased analoguey stuff (strings/lead).
2. a. Stormspell
Wow ! Big scary soundscape time. Analogue thunder, ring
modulated bells reverb off to the horizon. I could seriously
listen to this track solidly for an hour. A touch of mellotron
choir introduces...
...b. On Mercury's Wings
Mmmmmmmmm ! Mellotron strings (well, actually Emu Vintage
Keys Plus pseudo-mellotron strings). Big '70s TD multi-layered
analogue sequencers. In fact, if you closed your eyes, you'd
swear it was unreleased material from the 'Encore' tour. Later
on, the track degenerates into pitch-bending and hard-edged
digital sounds, which I must admit I would have left out.
Sorry, Paul.
3. a. The Watcher
Spooky, wilderness atmosphere. Overcast moors. Dark force
somewhere unseen. Mellotron strings making a sideways
reference to Genesis' "Watcher of the Skies" ?
b. Aurora
Tangram-era brass introduces this section. Big analoguey
filter sweeps and phased choir/strings. Schmoelling-era
soundscape. Roughly Hyperborea period. Excellent.
4. Beyond the clouds.
Almost Poland-era TD. Simple melody, embelished with rich
strings and digital chords. Piano picks up the melody later.
Use of 3/4 time signature brings folk tunes and 'olden days'
to mind.
5. Airborn
I'm afraid this is a bit to much like a Latin-American dance
tune for my taste. Once again, Paul, I'm sorry. Some of the
lead sounds are a bit harsh, too.
> Paul Nagle - paul@softroom.demon.co.uk
> http://www.softroom.demon.co.uk
Paul recorded, played and produced everything himself and the album
has a very clear feel to it.
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