Nautilus In Search of Castaways

EM fans seem to come in two flavours I think. Those who discovered EM via a love of prog rock, and those who discovered EM via synthpop and/or ambient. If you're the former you'll love this. I'm in the latter camp, and this CD left me cold I'm afraid! I'll try to be informative in the review though. Guitar (real) arpeggios open 'Prelude'. A classic rock organ (a Hammond emulation I'd say) builds in the background. A fairly 'clean' electric guitar solo adds melodic interest, whilst a choral pad helps strengthen the backing track. To this set of ears this was the intro to a piece of prog rock, not an EM CD. Still, lets keep going.

Piano arpeggios and solo guitar work open 'Time to Turn'. A slow, swelling synth builds. A mid-tempo sequence enters along with what sounds like electric bass guitar. Nautilus allow these elements to create quite a trance-like groove – this feels more like EM territory to me. Things become a little more symphonic around the 3 minute mark as the sequence fades. At times the guitar returns to add a few tasteful 'licks'. A new sequence enters the mix after 6 minutes along with a simple back-beat. The rhythm sounds chosen are 'acoustic', which again adds to the decided 'rock' feel of the CD so far. Which brings me to the distorted guitar solo at the 7 and a half minute mark! I have to say that this just isn't my pint of Tetleys! 'Archaeopteryx' opens with a mellow pad and gentle, electric piano. A clarinet-type sound adds a stately melody and electronic percussion builds in the background. A choral pad adds to the symphonic feel. This is an accessible bit of melodic EM – it breaks no barriers but is well done. An operatic 'sample' is added to the mix as the backing drops away. Everything crashes back in a suitably uplifting way! This one reminded me a little of Vangelis ('Chariots of Fire' era).

Blues guitar opens 'Shadow Nights'! An 'acoustic' kit and bright pad supports the guitar, but it is the guitar that takes centre stage. Pads and a rapid sequencer (Jarre-like) heralds the very short 'Back on Earth'. Choral voices and a faintly 'Russian' sounding lead reinforce the Jarre feel of the track. I liked this one, but it ends far too soon!

'In Search of Castaways' opens in mellow fashion with symphonic pads, gentle guitar and a ticking, high-register sequence. Gradually the guitar moves to the centre of the stage and starts to solo – again, and again. At the 4 and half minute mark a beautiful, hard-synced synth solo arrives. The sound and style are classic seventies – beautiful. It acts as a good foil to the guitar – perhaps if Nautilus had used this technique earlier I may have gotten on better with the CD? The pace of the track picks up significantly at the ten minute mark as quite strident drums arrive. At the fifteen minute mark we calm things down with the sound of water and gentle guitar. The track builds again, but this time mandolin (real) takes the lead duties– sounding vaguely Greek I must say!

More guitar and pad work open 'Luna and a friend of mine' – and that's it! I must admit that by this point I just craved a new sound pallette. EM usually opens up new worlds of sound – that's one of the reasons I love it. This CD sounds pretty one-dimensional to me – the guitar rules. A beautifully moody synth pad and 'distant' arpeggio opens 'Silence'. This sounds beautiful – like the opening to a vast space music track – but it lasts just 1.33 minutes. 'Paganel's Dream' opens atmospherically with synth swells, flutey synth and piano. At the 1 minute 30 second mark a very busy backing arrives, with a couple of sequences and percussion. That glorious analogue lead returns – this is much better!

Disembodied effects and drones suggest a deep ocean for the opening of 'The Final Discovery'. The pace quickens and becomes more symphonic with string 'stabs' and choral flourishes. 'Martial' drums add rhythmic detail at times. Vocal samples and digital 'stabs' give this quite a late 80s feel. Distorted guitar is, of course, added to the mix.

Acoustic guitar and solo electric guitar open 'A friendly Farewell' – nothing else is added.