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Blue Day is one of the finest of Robert's ambient discs. Stylistically related to The Silent Shore and Fountainhead: Cloud Cover, this disc presents 8 tracks of innovative and rich ambient music in the "classical" tradition. The title track clocks-in at 25 minutes and provides a deeply immersive listening experience. One of the basic tenets of classical ambient music is that it can be listened to on a number of levels, from rapt attention to the casual perception of the music as background sound. At each level of listening awareness different qualities and attributes of the music are revealed. This aspect, combined with the exquisite composition of the music itself, creates a CD that is sure to attract considerable response from radio audiences and private listeners alike. Blue Day is another important addition to our growing catalog of ambient music and will find a permanent place in the collections of all ambient music connoisseurs. |
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Blue Day
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CDR - $11.95
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Robert Scott
Thompson - 2000
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Track
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Audio
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Origin - 2:20 Lattice - 6:55 Illusion of Orderly Progress - 1:35 Sign and Symbol - 19:50 Lament - 2:27 Blue Day - 25:33 Disclosure - 1:33 Effulence - 7:23 |
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If you have written
a review of this disc please send it to us -
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Reviewed by David
Hassell, January 10, 2000
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Ever since I downloaded the mp3 file from Aucourant's mp3 site back in March of 1999, I've been anxiously awaiting the release of Blue Day. During the wait, this mp3 file, which appears on this release under the title "Sign and Symbol," has served as an ambient backdrop on my computer as I surf the web. Now the full release is available from Aucourant Records' new online web catalog along with two other new releases. While Frontier's flow is episodic and Fountainhead: Cloud Cover is a set of diverse pieces, Blue Day is composed as a thematically cohesive ambient album. It consists of eight titles alternating between short, momentary interludes and longer, more developed compositions. The lengthy numbers, except for the closing piece, give the entire album its overall mood and structure. The shorter works, each from a minute-and-a-half to three minutes in duration, serve as reflection, rest and anticipation. While Robert Scott Thompson has explored unsettling and disturbing moments in his previous dark ambient material, Blue Day offers some of his most calm, meditative, and peaceful music. Only one brief cult-like male chant opening "Sign and Symbol" appears ominous, but the tone of the rest is almost spiritually serene due to the use of chimes, bell tones, and celestial male sighs. The music also has a wonderful, steady flow to it, carrying the listener effortlessly and calmly along its current. My own impression is that of walking through a sacred temple, filled with mystery and awe. As with Robert Scott Thompson's other major ambient releases, Blue Day concludes with a rhythmic finale that gives one a sense of home. The rhythm of "Effulence" (Blue Day's closing piece) is set at a steady tempo to maintain the sense of calm and inner peace created by the entire album. It's extremely satisfying. Robert Scott Thompson has proven himself a composer of the highest caliber, and Blue Day ranks among his finest releases. |
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Robert Scott Thompson Blue Day AUREC 0011-1 |
| American ambient artist Robert Scott Thompson is continuing to gain notoriety for his shimmering dark textures. Firmly rooted in the same sonic landscape as Steve Roach and others, Thompson embellishes on this with his own unique signature. Fans of his prior solo releases will find this much to their liking. The sound is similar to his work on "Frontier" and "The Silent Shore," but it is certainly distinctive enough from those to warrant seeking out. As usual, a variety of sounds and textures are explored, ranging from small vignettes around a minute long, to epic 20-minute masterpieces. Deep drones mix with soft wind chimes on "Origin." "Lattice," as the name implies, is complex, carefully arranged, and delicate. Soft metallic shimmers melt into ominous choirs and assorted atmospheres. It is dark, brooding, and haunting. By contrast, "Illusion of Orderly Progress" is light and beautiful, though practically over by the time you can utter the title. This leads into the first of two centerpieces, the 20-minute "Sign and Symbol." I'm reminded a lot of the minimal ambient drifting of Mathias Grassow, and a little bit of Steve Roach and Robert Rich. Slightly dissonant drones mix with something resembling wood flutes, perhaps flute samples that have been processed in some way. The music swirls in formless fashion, taking both light and dark turns through the mist. "Lament" adds mournful piano to the ambience. This brings us to the 25-minute title track. Male choirs dominate, again lending a dark tone to the proceedings. "Blue Day" is blue indeed, very melancholic, but beautiful. After another very brief track, the disc closes with "Effulence," perhaps the closest Thompson has come to a structured composition with discernible melody. Piano wanders throughout the piece, each note being played very deliberately, with the barest trace of a pause between each note, not quite legato. A female wail is heard, and a simple beating drum. It is a most unusual juxtaposition of musical elements, making for a challenging and interesting way to finish another successful outing into Robert Scott Thompson's unique brand of ambient textures. 2000 © Phil Derby / Sequences Magazine |
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"Blue Day" is the
latest release from the creative genius of Dr. Robert Scott Thompson
(Dr. Bob? My own stuff comes out sometimes!) Robert has established
himself as a leading force in the y2k electronic music scene. His textures
and atmospheres are surrounded by and surround experimental avant-garde
overtones and undertones. On "Air Friction," Robert began attempting
to integrate the holistic self. His progression of minimalist releases
continued that quest. "Blue Day," a thinker's album, takes that quest
to its highest plateau! Through intellectual thought and logic, deep
listeners get a stronger understanding of the spiritual and emotional
processes. The juxtapositions of intellect and emotionalism, and spirituality
are enhanced, embraced and defined! As Dr. William F. Kraft posed in
"Ways of the Desert, Becoming Holy Through Difficult Times," the only
way to the promised land is through the desert. The longest and most
arduous journey known to humankind is from the mind to the heart and
soul. Robert has provided a map with directions! This is essential emotional
ambience! - Jim Brenholts
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