Fanger & Schonwalder
Analog Overdose 0.9

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(Excerpt from track(s) 'Electronic Mirrors Pt 3')

CD / 10 tracks / 78.10 mins

'Miniature 1' features a brooding sequence over soft wordless choral pads. It's all so moody but with real attitude. We get a clap of thunder and smoothly float into 'March 2001'. The sequence this time is a lovely bass laden one. It mutates, becoming more complex as a second sequence joins it. This really is excellent stuff. Little melodic motifs appear then fade like ghostly apparitions, mellotron being added to great effect. Appropriately enough it is all so 'analogue' sounding and very much in the spirit of the mid to late 70s. A tinkling sequence raises its head then disappears again whilst lovely floating melodic pads do their thing over the top. This track is a stunner. The sequence on 'Miniature 2' might be a simple four note one but it bounces along beautifully over some serene backing. Gradually things becomes more complex. Subtle percussion is added but the gorgeous tranquil atmosphere is maintained throughout. 'Rendevous Im Theater' picks up the pace. Rapid pulsations create the initial structure around which forms a steam hissing rhythm. The backing swells whilst a pitch bending lead line playfully darts this way and that. By the half way mark the excitement level is high and there seem to be more levels to the sequence than I can count. New leads swoop high and low like hawks diving for the kill then soaring into the sky again before sighting a fresh target. 'Miniature 3' (I assume you have spotted the pattern in track titles by now) is a flutey atmospheric bridging piece to 'The Trees Turn Tangerine (Live)'. An aggressive fizzing sequence blasts forward. This is contrasted by a lovely slow silken melody. The track title is very apt as so far, except for some vocoded text, this would have been well at home on 'Sorcerer'. Things become even more powerful and exciting as we go. 'Miniature 4' is a short piece, all soft and warm.

Things become much darker for 'Electronic Mirrors Part 3'. A slow bass throb starts up accompanied by very faint ticking percussion and ethereal mellotron. With such a fantastic build up you just know that the track is going to be a belter and it doesn't disappoint. Things become more syncopated all the time but the excitement doesn't finish there as the blistering solos play their vital part in keeping the oomph level high. 'Miniature 5' is another interlude though a very pleasant one with gentle percussive sequence and dreamy pads. 'Slow Polymorph' deploys the sequence right from the off. It's a sedate bass one which combines exquisitely with mellotron. This is really moody stuff which is in a similar style to Peter Baumann's first solo album (high praise indeed). A fitting way to finish such an excellent CD. The material for this album was recorded in 2001 and it is amazing that it has escaped release until now, as it is some of the best stuff they have done. If you liked the First Analog Overdose album I am sure you will love this. Unfortunately it is a limited edition of just 222 and as I write this (November 2006) there are only about 80 left so if you want one it would be a good idea to be quick. (DL)

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