Album: Hydroponic Garden
Artist: Carbon Based Lifeforms
Label: Ultimae Records
Released: 2003
Summary: Angelic tracks that seamlessly fade into each other. Superb.
This sublime album is a perfect example of why it's worth your time
tracking down music released by smaller, lesser known record labels.
None of these tracks are catchy, hook-fuelled chart toppers. Instead,
they're windows to peaceful places, fading in and out like a series
of dreams. None of them are particularly memorable, but all are
enjoyable and worth repeated listens.
As far as the actual sound goes, these are very professional sounding
cuts. Whole tracks and single instruments gently fade in and out
in a completely unobtrusive manner, while the delay is used to good
effect. Everything sounds pleasant and gentle, yet there is certainly
enough to hold your attention should you wish to devote it. There
is the occasional gentle acid line or lush vocal, but nothing that
would distract you from working while listening to it.
This is by no means an ambient album in the Brian Eno sense of the
word: several of the tracks have steady rhythms, and there are plenty
of different instruments in the mix at once, providing a rich
soundscape. Nevertheless, it seems to be just as well suited to the
role of late night background music as it is to having your undivided
attention. The whole album exudes a floaty, dreamlike atmosphere.
All in all, this is a sublime album, and definitely worth hunting
down.