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 | Synthetic Block: Synthetic Block (Mindspore - 1998) The descriptor "chilled-out electronics" seems a cliched way to say it, but it's just so accurate that I must... Synthetic Block's self-titled release on Mindspore features some of the more chilled-out electronics I've heard in some time! The tracks are lengthy (from 9.5 to 19.75 min.) and the chill factor is high in that the synthesized sounds tend to have a distinctly glistening, crystalline quality. |
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Working his own name into his project's title, Jonathan Block is Synthetic Block. He's definitely well-acquainted with the Synthetic via the icy, synthesized electronics that grace this release. A plucky string effect softly dominates the Silver Sky which morphs into a rolling sequencer piece, accentuated by sparingly applied, muted drumbeats.
Eardrum is an extremely quiet piece based on endlessly cycling, mutating organ chords. More than 10 minutes into the piece, percussion and bass notes are added, temporarily beefing up the fragile track, before it shifts into another beatless, string-enhanced phase. Plangent Bleating opens to denser, slightly warmer, waves of synth. Bell-like tones, a keyboard rhythm and slight, but active, beats add an extra bit of drive to this track. These elements evolve interestingly, gaining in intensity, though always maintaining a cool, subdued level. An electronic string section leads us on a 19:46-long journey, to The Empire of Lights. Propelled by lightly tapping cymbals, rich chords and a subtle, though groovy, bassline, this venture traverses various terrains, including thickly sequenced sections and sparse, arid zones as well. The "short" track at 9:25, Ping coalesces from icy vapors into something a bit more lively than its predecessors. Block turns up the drum machine to Peppy (though never Pounding). The comparatively frenetic percussion playfully bounce the lighter synthtones around. |
| While not earth-shattering, Synthetic Block is quite good, staying true to its ambient/electronic course. Percussion-phobes shouldn't be too put out by the slight beat content. Definitely One Thumb Up for these (yes, I'll say it again) chilled-out electronics. |  |
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