Various Artists - Themes:01
(Ochre)
Subtitled Soundtracks from the World of Ochre Records, this 17-track sampler gathers some of the more interesting instrumental recordings from over half a dozen acts in the Ochre stable. Only about half of them are worth repeated listens, but this is still an excellent introduction to the current state of wordless music (er, instrumentals), of which I am one of the world's biggest fans. As Dale Bozzio said all those years ago, "What are words for?"
Skyray begins things in a mellow mood, with a gently cascading piano piece entitled "Neptune Variations, Part 1" and the driving electronic pulse beat of The Land of Nod's "Timeless Point" is certainly hit worthy on many a dance floor around the world. But then we hit the wall on Longstone's "Traffic" and "Seasons" and 90° South's "Lola and The Northern Lights," all of which are annoying, headache-inducing experiments in replicating bleeps, bloops, and sound effects from a penny arcade, although the latter tosses in a tape loop of a cooing baby, which is certainly different, but not necessarily better. 90° South redeem themselves further on with "Citroen DS" (presumably the model of a French automobile), which marries a French techno beat to a jazzy/loungy guitar line reminiscent of Tortoise crossed with Saint Etienne. Smooth and frosty, it's cool, man, cool. And their third contribution, "Hut Point" nicely reminds of Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark. Sadly, the same can not be said about Longstone, whose "L.I.F.Espan" is a loud, annoying, metallic piece of electronics that reminds me of Nine Inch Nails, whom I had hoped we would never have to suffer through again. If this is their legacy, get me the hell out of here.
Helicopters, people stumbling into things in the dark, and electronic game room sound effects also ruins Lakescene's "Total Switchoff," which begins with a lovely piano melody and deteriorates into noise. Piano is also the predominant instrument on The Land of Nod's "Quadrant Zero," but the addition of traditional guitar/bass/drums adds to its enjoyment as not just another Yuppie exercise in background music. Stylus' "The Cosmic Beekeeper" has a soothing, metallic air about its melody, with a sputtering backdrop that sounds like Kraftwerk crossed with a purring kitten and its John Phillip Sousa-styled martial beat is a winner.
The third time is also a charm for Stylus' "Migration," a lovely walk through the aviary section of the local zoological garden, complete with chirping bird sound effects. The always wonderful Will Sergeant (ex-Bunnymen guitarist who also records ambient pieces under the name Glide) contributes "La Via Luonge," an experimental, ambient tone poem complete with myriad sound effects, and the whole project returns to the beginning with the second part of Skyray's "Neptune Variations."
Overall, it's nice aural wallpaper for cleaning the house or reading a book, but it does get a little dull if taken all in one sitting and is probably only worth borrowing from a friend. As to its marketing impact, I will be checking into Stylus, 90° South, and Skyray and avoiding Longstone, so the good folks at Ochre may have succeeded in their task after all!
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