Anyone with an ear out in the early to mid 1990’s may be familiar with the two Locust albums and the highly textured dark ambient electronic works of Mark Van Hoen. His work both as a composer and as a producer is prolific and has been released through R&S, Touch, 4AD and City Centre Offices. Where is the Truth moves away from the ponderous electronic liquid sculpted forms, into dense static dream pop ambient. At least try to imagine it given the contributions of Neil Halstead (Slowdive, Mojave 3) and Julia Frodahl (Edison Woods) morphing the perceived sound into new shapes. That this album plays up the vocal form, includes acoustic elements and exudes composition over experimentation demonstrates Van Hoen’s greater control over a wider array of available musical elements and a movement away from the purist electronics of his early works.
Also there is a decidedly optimistic feel to Where is the Truth, perhaps it is from the brighter hues gleaned from both guitar and piano elements or the faster paced insistent driving beat and rhythm structures. Is it merely the suggestion of dynamic movement in the works that fools the ear and brain into translation the emotional state of the artist in such a manner? Regardless of this question it displays a growth in the sophistication of technique. Van Hoen is more comfortable with traditional structures and fuller tapestries of sound sees him stretching out towards a wider audience and into atmospheric pop arenas quite familiar to the intricate dream ambient inclination of 4AD.
If you are an electronic purist looking to repeat the experience of his early albums, steer clear. However if you are willing to listen to dubbed out, stretched acoustic instruments, glitched out beats, sophisticated lyrics, immersive sound environments and an openness to sound outside a purist electronic aesthetic then you may well find the truth here.
Innerversitysound
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