Andy Pickford & Paul Nagle (Binar)
Project Poltergeist
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(Excerpt from track 'The Truth Sets Us Free Pt 2')
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CD / 7 tracks / 58.40 mins

This CD is basically the second set from their 2004 National Space Centre concert. The first set was released at Paul Nagle's solo concert later that same year. 'The Truth Sets Us Free (Part 2)' begins in similar fashion to its sister album, being a very new take on the same track. Crazed vocal samples weave an ominous start over equally menacing backing. A rhythmic loop starts up then a lovely melodic sequence fizzes in and out of the mix. It's a simply spellbinding beginning. Another energetic sequence falls into formation, excellent lead lines snapping at its heals as things get even better, only winding down near the end with a lovely piano melody. All the rest of the tracks on this album are completely new. 'Reflected Opacity' gives us a minute to regain some composure before a slow rhythm and another excellent lead start up. This is still relaxed stuff but with enough about it to get the head gently nodding.

We end with some 'on the edge of a dream' type samples forming a bridge to 'The Cosmic Void'. This is no soft drift as the title might suggest however, instead a sequence is deployed immediately with little soft sonic touches flying over the top like will-o'-the-wisps. First one looped melodic motif then another are added as the pace and excitement level increases but without getting out of control; the balance between 'tunes' and 'oomph' being spot on. There is a slow winding down in the last minute which develops into the dreamy beginning to 'The Hidden Meaning'. A new sequence comes in acting like a pulse over which lovely string pads caress the soul. A drum line accompanied by another fizzing sequence slowly start to emerge however and before two minutes have elapsed we are really starting to motor. In the third minute the most stunning melody on the whole album comes in acting as an effective foil to the pulsations.

'Remembering Giants' is a short chugger with gentle beat and soft ethereal pads. It is over all too soon, its fleeting beauty almost lost between the previous number and the title track. Indeed the more I listen to this album the more it becomes a real highlight. 'Project Poltergeist' continues in ethereal mode, full of cosmic drift. A sequence can just be heard very low in the mix morphing into a restrained rhythm in the second minute. It is when the next rhythm comes in, just before the three-minute mark, however, that things really begin to take off again. A stunningly beautiful virtual acoustic guitar enters (Andy does this sort of thing so well) as the sequence swells wonderfully underneath. It all amounts to yet another outstanding section of music on an album which has so many. 'Belief Takes Captives' uses distorted samples to again create a rather ominous atmosphere through which echoing drums very slowly begin to emerge. It's all extremely moody stuff. Mood changes to 'attitude' as a vast rolling bass sequence dripping with menace augments the rhythm. I finished the review of their last album by saying 'They Just Get Better and Better'. Well that is just as true here as it was there and after hearing their 2005 National Space Centre concert, unbelievably, this trend is still continuing. (DL)

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