Robert Scott Thompson is a very meticulous and thorough artist. So his listeners know that his CD's are ready when he releases them. The listeners also know that they are in for a treat.

Sidereal is about as close to the perfect CD as possible. It is 63 minutes of pure ambient bliss. It is one long-form composition with several clearly defined movements within. It has everything that ambient listeners want - drones, synths, atmospheres and an ambient guitar (complete with Ebow). Robert recorded the disc in 50 tracks - digitally, of course. His technical expertise has always been on the cutting edge.

His artistic integrity and virtuosity have been there too. He is one of the original residents of the perpendicular universe and this album takes him deeper into that zone. A very subtle - at times barely audible - drone is at the foundation of the sound design. Robert builds upon that drone as he weaves his atmospheres and experimental sounds through the soundscape. The drone shifts and creates auras of mystery, mystique and mysticism. The drone becomes a key element of the atmospheres as the soundscape wanders into and out of the different movements. .

That is the technique that makes this a spectacular experience. The movements evoke different - sometimes diametrically opposite - emotional and spiritual responses. Some of the movements are dark, sinister and foreboding. The shifts from those soundscapes to brighter, almost pastoral, ambience are delicate and seamless. That is a difficult transition to master. Robert, an ambient master, has perfected it.

This is a veritable plethora of moods, feelings, responses and affects. Deep listeners will get more than their money's worth. This is certainly the frontrunner for the best CD of 2002.

- Jim Brenholts