A slick and classy affair.
Bassist Colin Edwin, best known for his work with Porcupine Tree, and guitarist Jon Durant are at it again. Having first collaborated on Durant's 2011 album 'Dance Of The Shadow Planets', they came together in 2012 as Burnt Belief, releasing their "distance recorded" eponymous debut.
'Etymology' is the follow-up, an album (so it sez 'ere) of "progressive ethno-ambient fusion instrumentals". It's a slick and classy affair, a perception immediately borne out by ice cool opener 'Chromatique'. Similarly, 'Rivulet' features clean, soaring guitar work from Durant and some super bass from Edwin – the best example on the album, perhaps, of the two musicians complementing each others' playing perfectly.
My personal favourites are 'Dissemble' and 'Squall', both of which are Eastern-tinged, courtesy of the electric violin work of classical musician Steve Bingham (who is also known for his contributions to Art Rock band No-Man). Worthy of note too, is the presence of no less than three drummers - Vinny Sabatino, Dean McCormick and Jose Duque – whose efforts enhance the programmed electronic rhythms.
One thing you can say for 'Etymology' is that more often than most albums, the song titles do largely reflect the nature of the music. For example, the aforementioned 'Chromatique' is sleek, and modern, 'Hover' just kind of hovers, 'Chymera' is difficult to get hold of, 'Precis' kind of comes and goes quickly, as précised material should, and album closer 'Squall' is pretty squally, like the showers they sometimes announce on the BBC (the exception, perhaps, is 'Not Indifferent', which says 'Indifferent' to me).
Sometimes soporific, but more frequently soothing and calming, 'Etymology' is an arty affair that doubtless has significant muso appeal. You ain't gonna be dancing to it, but it's certainly music to chill to. It's also the kind of music you can play when you're doing the ironing (skip the soporific tracks). I know because I've tried it... it helps you get through shirts quicker. And if, like me, you do your thinking while you're ironing, it's also good music to think along to. Nice.
Michael Anthony
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