Exuviae
Echoes in the Emptiness
Exuviae was featured on the recent 'Convergent Evolution' ambient compilation, and this CD shows that he can definitely put together a full disc's worth of beautiful, soothing tones. Though melody is absent, the music is strikingly peaceful and elegant. The entire album slowly shifts and drifts, as bright silvery overtones blend with lush, deep undertones. Discernible instruments are hard to pick out, the credits listing guitar, shakuhachi, and "synthesis and treatments." The music swirls like the beautiful cover art, floating like liquid glass.

Each track is about 15 minutes long, and each patiently, deliberately explores a specific sonic place for us to lose ourselves in. Points of reference are difficult, though the longer, spacious works of Steve Roach come to mind. 'Awaken Within' reminds me of a lesser-known but great CD, Sonic Bloom's Entropica Prolifica. It starts with a simple drone, but layers of soft sounds slowly develop over the top. By the end, it still has a remnant of its beginnings, but it fully blossoms into a complex sonic organism. On the other hand, 'Silencia' is content to swirl around, as if in place. Changing little, the subtle yet abundant layers allow for an ever-changing attentive listening experience, or to simply enjoy as excellent background music.

'Otherplace' is somewhere between the first two, developing more slowly than 'Awaken Within,' but somewhat more definitely that 'Silencia.' Music this formless is difficult to describe on paper, but suffice to say if you enjoy ambience without melody, complete with the feeling of floating endlessly, then you will thoroughly enjoy 'Echoes in the Emptiness.' (PD)

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