The job a music reviewer is so much easier when there are lyrics around. They provide the focal point for the song in terms of expressing what it's about, and generally explaining away the music and the ideas. They can be good or bad, and they can be sung in a good way or a bad way – and whichever way, it is generally worth commenting on.
So when presented with a purely instrumental album, it's time to think. 'Inlandish' is the fruits of the joining forces of Hans-Joachim Roedelius (from Cluster, if you've heard of them?) and neo-classical composer Tim Story. You may not have heard of them – I hadn't until now, but would say things are a little better having been introduced.
Opening track 'As it were' is a piano led piece that is just played very well. It's a song to relax to – quite a simple idea, but with a bit of a twist. It's a fair indication of the whole album – it's hard to pin-point what it is that makes this different, but there's something, and it's pretty special.
Like good classical music should, each track evokes a scenario of some nature. 'Trouve' is a dreamy skittish sounding number, whilst 'Downrivers' is quite haunting – it's easy to imagine a cold wet city, and someone wandering around it lonely and drenched. 'Serpentining' literally conjures up the imagine of snakes, and of writhing around. 'House of Glances' somehow makes you feel uncomfortable – there is an underlying tragedy to this one. Or at least, that's one subjective interpretation.
The over-riding sound of the album is lazy – with the piano playing the lead role throughout, backed up by various other instruments, with the synths acting merely as percussion instead of taking a leading role.
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The best way to describe the sound of this is classical music with some ambient production on it. The instruments are definitely at the centre of this over the technology – for the bleeps are kept to a minimum. It's about the notes and not about the beats. The vocal-craver within would love to hear what Bjork could have done with these tracks, but that's not to say that these stand alone without the real need for any lyrics.
It's multi-purpose. You could have it on in the background, or you could shut your eyes and really listen to it. This is a dream album for those who stay up way past their bed time at weekends. It's one that could have a mass appeal. It feels very modern – even slightly edgy, in a blissful way – but also firmly rooted in the past. That's probably just one of many paradoxes that could be thrown at 'Inlandish.'
It's genuinely beautiful, and moving as well. It's a varied offering that manages to hold your attention from start to finish. It's a rewarding experience to listen to something like this – it shows how classical music can be relevant and inventive. Close your eyes and create your own images; this collection is a short film-makers wet dream. There really something special about this release – I'm just a little lost for words right now.
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