Nautilus
Solar Moon
The album is split into three "phases" with each subdivided into separate tracks. The first section starts with windy type ambient effects through which a melodic loop just manages to hold in there. A rhythm starts up and we begin to get into a very pleasant groove. At five minutes we have a rather good staccato melody followed by another which is a lot deeper and rumbling. Both melodies then meld together to form an easy on the ear but also driving track. Its a good opener which will have great appeal to everyone except those that like their music of the ambient persuasion.

The next sub section begins with the sound of thunder and a haze of different snippets of music. It's as if we are looking at a city from on top of a hill at night. All is very tranquil but with different sounds of activity below intermittently floating up to us on the breeze. A sequence starts and we chug along very nicely. Like the first section this is all extremely pleasant and easy to get on with. Just because it's an undemanding listen however doesn't mean that it is less of a rewarding experience. Another rhythm starts up and we bop along nicely but also energetically. Things stop abruptly and we can again hear sounds of the storm as we move into the next section. Soft pads and cosmic twitters act as a backdrop for a melodic plucked strings type sequence. Another more energetic sequence is layered over the top and again we really start to motor. The lead line is provided by a synth flute. Some ethnic type vocal samples can then be heard in the background but the overall feel of the track is certainly not ethnic.

The next sub section begins with tropical sounds, insects and that sort of thing. A slow sequence starts up joined by anther melodic one and a gentle dreamy guitar lead line is played over the top. Its all extremely relaxing and pleasant. Rhythmically its also rather jolly. You'll love it or hate it. The guitar continues into the next track and again its all rather dreamy and laid back. A shimmering cosmic sequence starts up and it turns into a traditional Berlin school number with good sequences and nice thick meandering lead lines. The pace quickens considerably for the last couple of minutes and the guitar returns with a vengeance as we really begin to rock. All in all its a cracking track. We now enter the final section which initially couldn't be a bigger contrast starting with massed strings then an acoustic guitar melody, first plucked and then strummed. A rhythmic loop bubbles forth and shortly after another high hat rhythm is added. More and more layers are placed over the top and it all becomes rather complex though still extremely pleasant. Things stop abruptly and then an acoustic guitar melody sweetly begins the next sub section. Not sure about this one, the timing seems rather odd and even the rhythm comes over as very basic with a faintly 80's synth pop feel. Its also extremely "cheesy", sort of Test Card music.

Its with relief that we enter the next sub section, the longest track on the album at almost fourteen minutes. Its very much a return to form. It begins with a melodic loop over soft pads. A beautifully stroked electric guitar lead floats over the top. Its a very tranquil number, ideal for lazing to on a Sunday afternoon. At around the half way mark it does become somewhat more urgent as the guitar playing steps up a gear but it could hardly be called a thrash, just triumphant happy playing. Its a lovely track and will appeal to almost anyone. The final piece gets into a relaxed groove with half heard vocal samples in the background. The piano lead is almost jazzy but combines well with yet more enjoyable guitar playing. We are again bordering on "Stilton" but just manage to avoid it. Relax and be happy. (DL)

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