Rapoon – Ghosts From A Machine (Album – Zoharum)
Genre/Influences: Ambient, tribal, cinematographic, experimental.
Format: Digital, 3 CD.
Background/Info: Robin storey is an artist who needs no further introduction. He simply belongs to the collective memory of music lovers addicted to industrial/ambient/tribal/experimental work. This work is a CD edit of the album that was released in 2010 on Vinyl-On-Demand (as the name of the label indicates, the original version was a vinyl edit). The album features 19 tracks spread over 3 discs. The songs were originally composed and recorded in between 1994 and 1998 and mainly consist of alternative edits of earlier Rapoon-songs.
Content: I can’t say there’s a real difference in style and approach between the 3 discs. Robin Storey progressively moves from soundscape- and cinematographic compositions towards tribal-minded cuts, which were more characteristic for the early years of Rapoon. The atmosphere supporting all songs creates a mysterious element with a visual appeal. This work sounds a bit as a sonic exorcism of all different influences and styles Robin Storey has ever worked with. Sometimes anguished and next relaxing and abyssal, Rapoon invites the listener to (re)discover some forgotten pearls from his career.
+ + + : First of all I’ve to catch –once more, your attention for the great artwork of this digipak. Zoharum really does a great job here and even if you’ve already the ‘older’ vinyl format, this re-release is a cool artistic present. Soundwise Rapoon delivers a fascinating selection of rare-, reworked songs. I like the minimalism of the writing and the very personal tribal touch running through some tracks. The tribal cuts are the one I prefer, but I’ve to say I also enjoyed some of the pure cinematic passages. These songs have something evasive, but always recovered with mysterious sound atmospheres. The very last song of the work (cf. “Easterly Falling – Early Mix for “Easterly 6 Or 7” is worthy of examination. Another essential song in the ambient vein is “Same River – First Mix Of “Same River” from “Vernal Crossing”. It’s an opportunity to get us back to the early hours of the project during the Staalplaat period.
– – – : You probably have to be a huge Rapoon addict to buy this album, but it also is an opportunity to rediscover the early sound universe of this great artist.
Conclusion: Rapoon has created its own style from different influences. Even if Robin Storey will be always linked to Zoviet France he has accomplished greater things with Rapoon.
Best songs: “Fallen Bhangra – Early Mix/Sub Mix of “Fallen Gods”, “Easterly Falling – Early Mix for “Easterly 6 Or 7”, “Same River – First Mix Of “Same River” from “Vernal Crossing”, “Fallen Gods – Early Working Mix Of “Fallen Gods”, “2 Track In Vernal Crossing 1 – Submix of “Vernal Crossing”.
Rate: (8).
Artist: www.rapoon.org / www.facebook.com/rapoon
Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
