Aquavoice - Grey

Oh, how the 70s were kind to the human race. I may be lying with that statement as I was born nowhere near then, and I also haven't really researched history pertaining to that era recently, but I can tell you one thing: it was the start of Aquavoice. Or at least a start of Tadeusz ?uczejko's musical career. The Polish born man created a group with a few friends that created works in the electronic field. After a while, in 1999, he formed Aquavoice with a friend, creating a duo. In 2001, the duo become a solo act, and even went on to win an award from a local radio show.

With his love for music, he even started an annual music festival in Poland, called AMBIENT, and has released eight albums since. Grey just so happens to be the eighth album, a 2013 release that was nabbed by the experimental Polish label, Zoharum Records. I've had a few albums that I really enjoyed by the album come my way, and others not so much. But, it was rewarding to find out that this album came out with great harmony to my ears.

S.E.T.I. Project started off the album, and includes with it the standard ambient sounds you would expect to be in an ambient song. A main synth line playing throughout the entire song, with little sound creeping in and out here and there, as well as a few samples. While it is generic for its field, it came out very well; it took the basics and proved them to be fantastic.

Magma continued on with the ambient sound, but also included in some somber sounding violin sounds. There was a steady beat that kept things interesting; the sound is something that I cannot compare to anything I've heard, but it was a good song.

Child Of The Moon comes in next, this time bringing in a slow building sinister sound until we're hit with some demonic vocals. It was a pleasure to listen to this tormented voice. Towards the later half of the song we're given some electronics that spice up the song a bit and make it that much more interesting.

And whereas the other songs on the album so far have included a lot of creepy elements, Terra Incognita brought forth a more peaceful and relaxing sound with some chimes here and there that worked wonders. While listening to the song, my mind raced to a small cottage in the middle of nowhere, where a forest lay with bugs of a non-harmful nature lurked. But, perhaps I was being too imaginative.

Radiowaves gave you just that in the beginning before moving on into an ambient/electronic experimental mix. It was more catchy than some of the other songs, but with each passing minute, the song changed. The electronics really faded at the four and a half minute mark, and then went straight back into ambient sounds. We're given a female talking for a moment, before more samples kick in. And then the violin makes a comeback in this song. And, God, do I love that violin.

Glassgames is the first song on the album that I came across and did not like. The beeps in the song didn't really do my ears any favor, and seeing as how I currently have earphones in, the sounds became unbearable after a while.

The album swiftly came back around from that mess with Invisible World, employing uses of water effects to make for another nature-like piece. It was magnificent. I think both my body and mind relaxed at the sound of this song.

Air Sanctuary came around, and showed off a more spiritual like track. With the whispers of what sounds like a cult in worship, the sounds of wind breezing, it was a wonder to behold. Wind chimes even make an appearance, and choral effects brush in from the left speaker to the right. This song right after the previous made me melt as I lay typing.

With some lethargy sweeping over me, I flickered myself awake and moved onto Cold Water. As suggested, more water effect played out, and soon enough it sounded as if I was in a cavern aside from the few beeps that came into the song. Those effect actually took away from the experience of the track and kind of ruined it for me.

With Liquid Plejades coming in last on the album's list, it wasn't the best. Sure, it had elements that were spread within all the other songs, but it didn't come over as well as everything else.

Now, this album has a lot of great songs on it, and one I didn't like. But this is one of those cases where the good triumphs over the evil. Whether there were sounds that sent chills up my spine, or peaceful melodies causing me to sink further into my couch, it was a pleasure to go through this album. I recommend it.
Apr 15 2014