Lightdark

Product Information

All the drums have been re recorded by new drummer Jan Vincent Velazco, and the whole album has been remixed by Karl Groom and Nick Barrett. sees a short pause until the 6:40 mark when the drums and keys change activity in a very goosebumpity moment. While they continue to touch on the bands that were the original foundation of their sound (Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, Opeth) the music seems to take on a more atmospheric feel. Then when we discussed ideas for singers, Daniel's name came up, he has such a great range and dynamic voice and we've worked together on and offover the years.

Well, the idea of TRANSATLANTIC deciding to do a concept record this time around won't shock anyone, right? John also couldn’t resist asking good friend and keyboard player Jem Godfrey of Frost* fame to add his unique musical treatment to two tracks, including the title ’Lonely Robot’, with Nick Beggs playing bass and his signature Chapman Stick on a few other songs. As the others have said, it compares very well to 'The Whirlwind', which I believe represents TRANSATLANTIC at our best. A brief backward guitar solo plays before guest vocalist TIM BOWNESS (NO-MAN) enters to give an absolutely gorgeous vocal performance--the perfect match to the background music. From vintage keys to epic guitar solos, from odd drum patterns to symphonic elements, THE FLOWER KINGS present a superb, playful and complex record.Mitchell had long thought about embarking on a project like this, and when he found a break in his schedule due to plans for the next It Bites album being delayed, he finally took the opportunity.

At the 2:05 mark there is a synth-strings chord shift opening the door for some delicate cymbols play--soon followed by some slow, well-spaced (and echoed) guitar single strums. The concept is about the way in which some ancient civilisations – for instance, the Mayans, the Egyptians and the Chinese – had technology way beyond what they should have had at the time.Sol29" is one of my all time favourite recordings and I was counting on something similar, but this one is more ambient and less emotional for me. Highlights include the 15 minute epic From Silence to Noise, the ethereal The Misplay (with cellist Marianne DeChastelaine), and the epic piano/mellotron driven ballad Someone Starts To Fade Away (featuring guest vocals from No-Man's Tim Bowness). I'm not suggesting that human beings behave like robots, but so many people lead regimented lives and it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and not realise or know how to get out of it. Initially the band went to Livingston Studios in London last September to begin the processof assembling all the material and recording it for the debut album.

I feel you will hear all that's good about pop – with great melodies and hooks – plus the rawness of metal, improvisations, symphonic and movie soundtracks. With Lonely Robot, I have a clean slate and that's very exciting, because nobody expects anything in particular. What's more, there are also differences in the instruments used on some of the tracks across the two records. Unfortunately, the chord selection, melody, harmonies, and theatric presentation are far less engaging than on "SStFA. You Said, 'I Am'" begins with a now over-used minimalist piano-to-be-joined by organ and plaintive vocal formula.

Another pure masterpiece, "Someone Starts to Fade Away" begins with a very emotionally heart-wrenching STEVE REICH-HAROLD BUDD/BRIAN ENO-like background treated piano and ekyboard wash. The entire recording situation took about six months, and the band also has some veryspecial guests featured on the album. Following the release of the band's new minimal sound on their latest release, Allow Yourself, Giancarlo Erra is remastering and reissuing past albums on Kscope, now including the band's breakthrough second album Lightdark. Products labelled '*item fulfilled by Exertis on behalf of hmv' will be supplied to you directly by Exertis via their approved couriers.