Paul Nagle Waiting for Clouseau Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Hullabaloo')

Don’t expect ‘Lore’ or ‘Cyberdiver’ styles here. It was recorded between 1988 and 1991 so even predates his ‘Elements’ series which are nothing like this album either. What a brilliant track the opener ‘Arcadia’ is. After the slow drum intro the sequence kicks in, a grungy thick bass one. The lead line is nothing short of stunning and the symphonic stabs add to the dramatic nature of the piece still further. ‘Mystique (original mix)’makes use of absolutely beautiful synth pads and a heart rending melody using acoustic guitar sounds. Gentle tracks don’t come much better than this.

‘Mountain Song’ is another melodic piece again full of beauty without being twee or sickly just superb melodies. When melodies are used in EM too often they come over as the pretty ‘biscuit tin’ variety rather than reaching down into your soul as this track does. ‘Pookie Hole’ is a joyful rhythmic ditty which leads us to the superbly titled ‘Captain Edgar Buys a New Fish’. This track had its first airing on ‘Gold Tri Vol 1’. It is rhythmic but in a more aggressive way with axe man type lead line, just made for stage heroics. The switches in pace and twists and turns are awesome. Incredible he fitted so much into a track which lasts for less than four minutes. Next is the short ‘Hullabaloo 2’ It takes the spirit of the original track but removes the sickly elements and steel drum. The half hour title track comes next and here we are in much more floating ambient territory. Gently rhythms hang above dreamy synth pads bringing up images of carefree summer days sitting by a river just letting the world drift by. Very relaxing and sleepy.