With practically zero beats and sparse, fluid structures, ‘Music For The Towers’, Test Card’s third album, is understated, background ambience that’s easy on the ear and undemanding, which means that on nine out of ten listens, much of the detail will simply wash over you as you go about your business of doing other stuff. In fact, it’s so subtle and soothing that even taking time to concentrate will likely find the mind wandering.
The solo project of Lee Nicholson, based in Vancouver, Canada, who has a long list of previous projects and associations, the album begins with hints of the most delicately chiming post rock, as reverby guitar notes ring out in quiet accord, but they fade out into rippling slow waves of ambience. And so it goes, with the guitar occasionally creeping stealthily back into the mix of amorphous synth swirls that dominate the soundscape. It’s bring unremarkable is an indication of its success as an ambient work, rather than a condemnation for its lack of presence.
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