http://www.windandwire.com/galactic_anthems.htm#galactic
In my opinion the ambient and spacemusic genres deserve a larger following than they currently get. This year I attended two concerts by electronic instrumentalists at a small venue with a capacity of about 100 seats. Though the first concert was nearly sold out the other was only about half full. Despite the relative small listening audience for this kind of music it's good to see that there are still musicians making a debut. Galactic Anthems is the first ambient/spacemusic album to be released by Glenn Adams recording under the name Galactic Anthems.
Beginning the album is the strangely titled track "Spastik Teloasis". A driving rhythm sounding like an engine of some kind forms a structure over which shimmering synth effects continually wash over in somewhat eerie sonic waves. After this "Orbital Bop" treats the listener to a musical experience of being in a space station lounge, chilling out, and listening to the latest form of jazz!
Is that a Vangelis influence in "Journey" as it starts up? For a few seconds it reminded me of a track on Opera Sauvage. Anyway, a piano-esque sound beats away in minimalist fashion as various synth effects wash over. When "Tortured Souls" got underway I was reminded of the opening theme music to the film Event Horizon. Highly processed voice sounds wail as a scarey drum beats quickly making one think of some kind of chase. This is definitely a spooky track.
The three tracks "Midnight Mist," "Way Out There," and "Frozen Wasteland" seem to take the listener on a disconcerting journey across an alien planet. There are otherworldly sounds swirling around, fuzzy - almost voice like - washes of sound in the soundscape, slowly beating drums, and the howl of a lone wolf.
Skipping to the last piece called "Distant Memories" the mood becomes lighter making one think of sitting on a beach on a distant world watching the waves crash and listening to the wildlife. This is a lovely and peaceful track bringing one to a calmer mood after the relative darkness of the rest of the album. While listening to this I couldn't help thinking of the beach scene near the end of the film Contact.
Galactic Anthems is a great album, sure to appeal to ambient and spacemusic fans. The music has a dark edge to it in many places but don't let that put you off. I highly recommend it.