Reviews - “The Broken Silence (2000)”

“Mantle” review by Empire of the Claw

BRIAN PARNHAM: The Broken Silence (CD on Floating Point Records)

Generating dense but atmospheric soundscapes, Brian Parnham mixes synthesizers, electronic processing, and didjeridu (an Australian aboriginal wind instrument consisting of a long hollow tube which produces a deep yet ethereal tone) in his creation of ambient electronic music on this 53 minute release from 2000.

The structure of the music is quasi-melodic, achieved by overlapping sonic textures in waves which conjure drifting motion and easy passage. These airs are given pensive moods and expansive aspects with the slow introduction of heavenly tonalities and chittering, barely-noticeable effects.

These waves of sound, themselves quite peaceful and relaxing, achieve an unfurling that is hidden in the creeping nature of the melodic evolution of the elements. This unfurling produces quite an inspirational effect, as the sonic mood carries the listener into contemplative regions.

The listener's consciousness finds itself expanding in direct ratio to the music's intangible growth. Or the music can be utilized as a comfortable, unintrusive background ambience to facilitate concentration.

The very nature of this music allows its effect to vary depending on the outlook of the listener. It could be metaphysical or astrophysical.

Besides possessing a soft presence of tribal percussive, the last of the three compositions employs a variety of shortwave ambience and other source materials recorded as the clocks (and computers) traveled from 1999 to 2000 on New Year's Eve. There is a particular sense of apprehension to this final auralscape, excellently capturing humanity's uncertainty (and fascination) with the unknown nature of the future.

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