Brainwork Live & Unreleased

As soon as you see Brainwork on the CD, expect pulsating rhythms and melodic leads. After a minute's worth of live atmospherics, 'Stormy Island' delivers just those elements. It's a bright and breezy 10 minute outing with a strong melody and pleasing sequences, topped off with Gerd Lubos' (of Strange Inside fame) dynamic guitar work. 'Black Seagull' immediately impresses with a great main theme and bouncy beat. The melody does bare a remarkable similarity to 'Luscious Feelings' from Rob Essers' 'Raincolours' album though, so it's no surprise that I like it! The next few tracks stick very much to the same formula, a situation which I'd usually be tempted to criticise for predictability and lack of imagination. But such is the vibrancy of the music it's hard not to just sit back and enjoy it. The 20 minute 'Sonic Vortices', though well put together, does perhaps show that this style is best presented in shorter bursts and the closing quartet of tracks prove this. This album is another hearty helping of precise structures, interlocking sequences, and uptempo melodics. Rhythm is king and the strength of the leadlines and overall dynamism can only be admired. Brainwork fans will love this, and the uninitiated should give it a try to discover why so many rate Brainwork's music so highly. (GG)

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