The cover doesn’t give much away, and nor do the liner notes. The photo of Mr Parmiter standing in front of a bridge suggests ponderous singer-songwriter, but ‘Imperfect Symmetry’ is a collection of dramatically brooding piano-led instrumental pieces. Counterpointing the delicate piano and keyboard work are elements of noise and discord.
‘Aftermath’ is a bit ‘Tubular Bells’, but equally there’s abundant evidence of Parmiter’s myriad and diverse influences, ranging from Vangellis to Eno, Genesis and Mogwai, to be found percolating through his meticulously poised soundscapes. Scraping feedback guitars disrupt the soft atmospherics of ‘The Serpent’, while the title track, essentially two rolling piano pieces played fractionally out of sync with one another, is at once pleasing to the ear and disorientating to the brain.
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Striking a considered balance between melody and extrania, harmony and disharmony, lightness and dark, ‘Imperfect Symmetry’ signifies an impressive achievement.
Tom James Parmiter Online
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