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FOOD & DRINK
» Chocolate & I, New York 2010 - Billed as "a unique chocolate and food and culture immersion experience," the theme of the second edition of the cocoa-laden conference will addresss the idea of "The Journey" from February 8th until the 14th in New York.[02.08.2010 by Eric J Herboth]
FIELD NOTES
» Art Of Zines 2010 - It has been almost three decades since an influential punk magazine from Michigan closed down (hint: they gave rise to an influential Chicago label of the same name that recently folded as well). Thankfully, as a new exhibition in California proves, the love of zines is alive and well.[02.05.2010 by The LAS Staff]
Ulrich SchnaussGoodbye
Domino
?
July 6, 2007
The end of a loose trilogy that began with Far Away Trains Passing By, 2007's Goodbye finds German electronica artist Ulrich Schnauss expanding on the ambient-leaning dream-pop of his lauded '03 sophomore outing, A Strangely Isolated Place. Recorded in relative seclusion in Schnauss's hometown of Kiel, the album is literally miles away from a club-oriented Berlin aesthetic, yet its shimmering, shoegazing tracks maintain a subtle techno veneer.
What Schnauss seems primarily concerned with on Goodbye is layering, reportedly orchestrating more than 100 audio tracks at some moments on the record. This more-is-more aesthetic is best revealed on "Shine," a slowly drifting iceberg of a song that nearly overwhelms the listener with waves of synthesizers and chiming guitars, while whispery vocals float in like lingering spirits of long-forgotten 4AD releases. While some tracks are steeped in Eno-esque abstract ambience (see the woozy, keyboard-driven "Einfeld"), Schnauss also ventures into dark and brooding territory on Goodbye, as dramatically displayed on the distortion-filled "Medusa," which wouldn't have been out of place on the last album by his fellow synth-loving European tour-mates M83.
With the absence of any clear-cut dance-friendly singles (i.e. "On My Own" from Strangely Isolated) and few tracks that feature anything resembling a pop melody (the notable exception being the swirling, beat-driven "Stars"), Goodbye is generally content to linger in the nebulous space near Seefeel's Quique and Boards of Canada's The Campfire Headphase, making it an album that doesn't immediately astound, but gradually unfurls in dense atmospheric strands.
What Schnauss seems primarily concerned with on Goodbye is layering, reportedly orchestrating more than 100 audio tracks at some moments on the record. This more-is-more aesthetic is best revealed on "Shine," a slowly drifting iceberg of a song that nearly overwhelms the listener with waves of synthesizers and chiming guitars, while whispery vocals float in like lingering spirits of long-forgotten 4AD releases. While some tracks are steeped in Eno-esque abstract ambience (see the woozy, keyboard-driven "Einfeld"), Schnauss also ventures into dark and brooding territory on Goodbye, as dramatically displayed on the distortion-filled "Medusa," which wouldn't have been out of place on the last album by his fellow synth-loving European tour-mates M83.
With the absence of any clear-cut dance-friendly singles (i.e. "On My Own" from Strangely Isolated) and few tracks that feature anything resembling a pop melody (the notable exception being the swirling, beat-driven "Stars"), Goodbye is generally content to linger in the nebulous space near Seefeel's Quique and Boards of Canada's The Campfire Headphase, making it an album that doesn't immediately astound, but gradually unfurls in dense atmospheric strands.
Reviewed by Eric Schneider
A freelance writer and editor based in Saratoga Springs, New York, Eric Schneider is a regular contributor to LAS.
See other reviews by Eric Schneider
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"Animal" video
TubeSpace
Title Tracks
"Steady Love" video
TubeSpace
Make The Girl Dance
"Kill Me" video
TubeSpace
MORE MEDIA LINKS...
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