Andy Pickford Nemesis

The second track ‘Inside The Circle’ could be said to be an exception as it is a mainly atmospheric number which slowly builds and builds but at thirteen minutes took a bit too long over it. The real sugar, however, comes with the piano / acoustic guitar number ‘Bridge of Dreams’ which makes most New Age tracks seem like Motorhead. ‘Woman in Black’ is a decent rhythmic number that would have made a good theme tune to a TV programme but doesn’t really stick in the mind afterwards. ‘Incarnate’ begins in mystical / fairytale mode before becoming an upbeat track but it didn’t really get anywhere or do anything for me. Next we have ‘Angelfire parts 1 & 2’. With titles like that I was expecting another tour de force as on the opener. The first part turned out to be a short interlude that showcased Andy’s talents as a tunesmith but got me reaching for the bucket I’m afraid. The second started with a really nice warbling sequence then a punchy rhythm joined it. After the half way mark it began to sound very much like modern Tangerine Dream but finishing in symphonic mode. Again, very nice but it didn’t exactly move me. The final number ‘Sentinel’ develops into another blistering track, electric guitar lead lines pitch bending all over the place. I can just imagine that this would bring the house down played live. Lead line after lead line are introduced and things never stay still. It lasts fourteen minutes but seems much shorter. More ideas are covered in this one track than many artists realise in a whole album or in some cases career.

I am sure that if you own and have enjoyed all of Andy’s albums up to now this will not disappoint. In fact if the most important thing to you is melody then I would recommend it without reservation. In the nice tunes department Andy really takes some beating and as the first and last tracks go to show he can also write powerful anthems right from the heart. (DL)

2nd Opinion...

I'd like to thank SMD for allowing me the space to offer an alternative review of what, for me, is the finest British electronic album ever released - fit to rank alongside Vangelis' ‘Direct’ and Tangerine Dream's ‘Force Majeure’. Andy Pickford is a musician who has always impressed and yet promised even more, and has now finally cut the 24-carat gem he was always striving for and we were always wishing for. It's thus a cruel, massive irony that Andy, worn down by years of disillusionment over his lack of progress in the scene, has all but walked out on music and shuffled off to a workaday existence, and yet he has produced the kind of album that could serve as a beacon for a domestic electronic music scene struggling to reach out from the underground.

: With ‘Nemesis’, I believe Andy has demonstrated a musical creativity, flair and distinction that places him in a sphere well above The Orb, and in the same arena of talent as the likes of William Orbit. In a true, just world, he'd be sharing poolside cocktails with Jean-Michel Jarre. Andy P's album is the supreme achievement of a musician who has always had an ear for melody and a gift for composition. He has honed his craft over successive albums and produced an epic swan-song. Along with the highly melodic themes, dynamic arrangements and a consummate way with voice samples, there is rich diversity - rawness and polish, light and dark, sweetness and rage.

'Incarnate' is electronic rock's Stairway To Heaven, 'Angelfire' is the best track The Art Of Noise never produced, 'Bridge of Dreams' has a tune to humble Vangelis and 'Inside The Circle' contains the kind of fire, energy and shimmering tension that first inflamed my passion for electronica; I haven't thrilled so much to a track since T.Dream's 'Thru Metamorphic Rock'. David Law has already, bless him, applauded the dynamic and pulsating quality of the album's opener and closer - 'Nemesis' and 'Sentinel' (see previous issue). Add to all this the rocky urgency and accessibility of 'Woman In Black' and you have an album to savour... and revere.

If you now buy ‘Nemesis’ after reading this alternative review, get behind it.. let me know, let his record company know, tell the music press and anyone else who will listen. And let's bring Andy Pickford back into the light where he can shine again as British Electronic music's finest, gleaming opportunity for that wider potential audience.