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S.E.T.I.
This one is for those who like melodic rhythmic music with careful electric / synthesized guitar touches. Its certainly on the commercial side of EM and is therefore rather easy to get into. An infectious rhythm immediately issues from the speakers through swirling synth effects as the opener 'Survey' gets underway. An effective piano melody drifts away in the middle of the mix. The drums become even beefier as the track progresses and the main focus now transfers from the piano to guitar. Its good powerful stuff but never gets out of hand. Near the end the lead duties are taken over by a harpsichord sound giving the track good balance. Its title track time next. After brief atmospheric effects vocal samples in German can be heard and we get into a great rhythmic groove. The lead line is particularly catchy but at two minutes-wow!

We really start to rock, the guitar blasts forth and the rhythm becomes even more intense. Its wonderful stuff! The vocal samples ( a computer speaking?) keep coming and going, haven't got a clue what its all about but it gives the number something of a futuristic feel. 'Gates' is a very floating atmospheric number at complete contrast to what has gone before and its this contrast which makes it so effective. 'Robot' also begins in atmospheric mode. There is the sound as if something is shorting out and then some bleeps and synthesized speech, "we are the future". A rhythm starts to build and it is just as if a robot is coming to life. The drums / sequence again get into a groove and the guitar floats in the middle of the mix. 'Teleport' gets underway with a short sequenced motif warbling between the speakers then we get lush pads over which a lonesome sounding guitar weeps. After two minutes a slow beat starts up drawing me in before being captured by another great guitar salvo. 'Planet Inca' uses nature noises to set the scene then we get the sound of a flute before a tribal drum pattern strikes up. Its all very primitive yet futuristic at the same time. Very different to anything else on the CD but again the contrast is what makes it work. It wouldn't have been out of place on Paul Haslinger's 'World Without Rules' but probably not quite that intense.

'Gates 2 Consciousness' uses more vocal samples then a high hat loop comes in. More guitar and a rhythm are added and we begin to motor. 'Fear' rather appropriately is made up of sinister orchestral sounds then both piano and guitar melodies enter before at two minutes a relaxed rhythm is chucked in instantly giving the track a much lighter feel. 'Seti Warp' uses similar robotic vocal samples and rhythms as found on the title track. The pace seems to quicken up then slow down around already familiar themes. A very enjoyable album - "Dave". (DL)

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