Michael Allison (Darshan Ambient) is no slouch, having been through musical incarnations as ‘singer and bassist for groups such as Nona Hendryx & Zero cool, China shop, Richard Hell and the Voidoids and his own group empty house.’
No matter if you think of certain characteristics of the ambient/electronic field being awash with wafty and New Agey music that often has the effect of sonic wallpaper, inoffensive home décor for people who like to perform yoga and eat health food, it still has made a significant impact and share of the audience. That is if we were to don our hat as cultural observer, cynic and market analyst. Certainly this can be how From Pale Hands To Weary Skies comes across.
‘Darshan is a Sanskrit Hindu term meaning sight or a glimpse of the divine’. Definitely there is a signpost here, as language can indicate an idea and art can locate and give pictorial reference to the idea, the encapsulation of the idea and that which stands behind or seeks expression through the idea. That which is totally abstracted cannot be truly found in the material expression of the abstraction, merely signpost. On this reading you could even ask yourself then why am I reading a reading of a glimpse when the suggestion is all articulations are mere failed attempts. Well you have to do something or at least try to gain insight and convey meaning it is called communication, who/what/how of the communication is a question that has made the best minds into fools.
Musically From Pale Hands To Weary Skies is full of beatific melodies and syth chords, reverbed piano and choral washes. It can plonk and whaft along at times but has moments of busy tabla and slight glitch sharp staccato rhythm. It is precise, tight and studied which may sound contradictory but akin to the surrealist art of Yves Tanguy from which it draws inspiration, technical accomplishment and abstract formlessness are not the contradiction that they may appear. It may not be cutting or bleeding edge electronicia but it is beautifully crafted by a skilled musician who remains true to a musical life.
Innerversitysound
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