Antherius - 2006-01

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Antherius - 2006-01

Artist:	Antherius
Title:	2006-01
Label:	Decursus 00102-001
Length(s):	41 minutes
Year(s) of release:	2006
Month of review:	[12/2006]

Line up

Antherius - all instruments

Tracks

1)	Prologue	0.39
2)	Cirrus Winds	5.02
3)	Turnpike	4.20
4)	Mannheim Dynamic	3.59
5)	T.O.U. (thinking Of You)	4.25
6)	Spiraling Around	2.57
7)	Recursion	4.41
8)	Cresent Rim	3.40
9)	Ethereal Passage	5.01
10)	Distant Redwoods	3.37
11)	Reaching Over	2.52

Summary

The music

I can't say that I wasn't forwarned: this album is only for those who have at least a passing interest in dance oriented music. The first couple of tracks don't fully make this point yet, they can pass off -without too much trouble- as nineties Tangerine Dream material. Mannheim Dynamic, however, picks up the strength on the beats and moves into an even happier and more upbeat type melody. What really made its intentions clear, though, was the both-hands-down-on-the-keyboard ta-ta-taa bridges (and I really don't know how else to describe these) which were quite commmon and popular with the eurodance of the mid nineties.

If you're still with me after the shenanigans described before you must be into nineties stuff, as apparently Antherius is, since he refers to that period in time so often stylistically and technically. But there's more: TOU (thinking of you) takes on the sweetest of tones. In fact, so sweet I think I might lose some teeth over it had it lasted a longer than its four and a halve minutes.

From this on the music takes a tone that is even more non commitant and gratuitous than aforementioned nineties Tangerine Dream, which I thought was pretty bad in this area already. According to Antherius' site not all the music originates from electronics, considering the mention of instruments such as drum sets and ethnic percussion. Unfortunately this has not led to a genuine feel in the music's sound: it all sounds so electronic.

Ethereal Passage is an exception to the rule: the track has some nice tranquil moments and the metallic percussion is reduced to the barest of non essentials. On the other hand: show closer Reaching Over reminded me of the theme of the Australian soap series (don't ask) Neighbours.

Conclusion

So, no extra points for guessing whether this release will make my year end list. Despite references to dance (through the assorted use of beats), this album does not sound like dance music. It very much does sound like an EM album with an excess of percussion, much of it sounding highly boxed. This is the sort of EM I abhor, which makes my opinion of this one clear. Those who think nineties Tangerine Dream is still pretty worthwhile, might want to check this out. I can't see this release as fitting for other musical interests.