The Hedonist

Bob Georgeson, The Hedonist, 2010, photomontage

Belonging

Photo taken by Joy Georgeson at Flynnes Beach, Port Macquarie, June 2013
 
Along the beach
I walk alone
The waves my family
Each grain of sand
My home

As good as it gets...



'Beautiful' was the word that first came to mind when I first heard Some Hollow Lullabies, the third release from UK dark ambient outfit emptywhale. Subsequent listens have not changed my mind. The most integrated album to date shows this enigmatic artist at the height of his powers, defying classifications, and composing and producing a work of sublime beauty and intelligence. Meticulously crafted from start to finish it is quite simply 'as good as it gets'.

From the opening transportation of 'The Boy Who Could Hear Colours', the surprising introduction of melodic keyboard, to the closing fade and hints of where it all began we are left transfixed. Astute listeners may find it an interesting challenge to figure out these influences, but ultimately knowing this will not add to the appreciation because the emptywhale concept is precisely about the mystery. And the mystery ends up being what we (the listeners) experience as we listen...

I have said in the past that I find great humanism in the music of emptywhale. Here we have a man wandering through the British (if not world) landscape acutely aware of history and society and where the technological revolution had taken us, and the impact it has had on interpersonal communications (or lack thereof) . If there is 'darkness' in these soundscapes it is in this aspect of our lives that it is manifest...not through any contrived attempt at being different or trendy.

I must admit I have been critical of the ambient genre at times, finding the lack of individualism frustrating, but emptywhale takes it to a new level. At times orchestral, choral, hints of punk, even prog rock, sinister crackles, there are so many things happening here one is left in awe at the power of the meditative mix.

A track by track analysis is pointless in such a complete creation. All I can say is take 40 minutes out of your life and marvel and enjoy and wonder and appreciate that there are people in the world doing this for free...

And if you do feel compelled to part with some money emptywhale asks that you donate to cancer research...

An essential and permanent part of the collection of anyone seriously interested in contemporary music. The great Duke Ellington, once asked in interview about his composing methods, said "If it sounds good, it is good". Some Hollow Lullabies sounds very, very good...

You can download it here...

emptywhale - Some Hollow Lullabies


An absolutely beautiful work...

Review coming soon when I return to the studio...in the meantime you can enjoy it here...

http://www.weareallghosts.co.uk/

Gulaga


The mother mountain is about to give birth...

Red torso


 Bob Georgeson, Red torso, 2013, digital photography

What better way to celebrate the first day of winter than by the warm cozy glow of the wood fire...