Dom F. Scab Innerseed

The album opens with ‘Inner’ and what a classic piece of EM this is. First thing I noticed was the superb sequential detail - a fast and complex lattice which forms the perfect backdrop to a superbly balanced rhythmic outing which, the more I hear, brings to mind a late 80’s Tangerine Dream at the very peak of their form. The stabbing vox are very characteristic of TD around that period, and it very much reminded me of the likes of ‘Mount Shasta’ which for me is the stand out track from the otherwise forgettable ‘Lily on the Beach’.

This album is certainly not a “wall of sound” EM roller-coaster, veering more into laid back territory. However, it’s strength lies in the subtle detail which is constantly present. The sequences are very carefully crafted, yet despite the obvious lengths to which the artist has gone to get these just right they are not used to “showboat” and dominate the CD - rather the other elements of melody and texture are positioned with equal attention and imagination. Consequently the result is an impressively subtle collage of electronic sounds.

‘Heart of the Machine’ continues the strong form. Subdued sequencing mutates subliminally as delicate motifs are picked out on piano and synths. ‘Fear to Void’ opens on a classic chattering sequence, and the electronic patterns just keep on flowing for track after track culminating in the superb ‘Saving Dreams’. Opening with careful pads and suggested motifs the sequences emerge from the ether. The result is very reminiscent of early Wavestar, and when the guitars are introduced the picture is complete. The sequence voices are manipulated in classic fashion, and overall it is a magnificent piece.