Scott Morgan has accomplished nothing short of an evolution on his third CD, breathing new life into his own music and into the electronic genre in general. For the first time, Loscil is not built on machines and computers alone, but with the aid of live instrumentation overtop of the usual sequencing Morgan incorporates. The result is stunning, capable of inducing real dreamlike states with even a glancing listen. Where the last record was mainly music for and from the depths of the ocean, these songs are a bridge over the waters of the past, a gateway to rebirth and the promise of the future. Morgan provided a computer base for the musicians to improvise over, then took both segments and edited them for the final product, resulting in a half-organic, half-synthetic experience that just might be the best mix of the two I've ever heard. Drone elements still prevail, with Loscil's music being more about a mood or feeling than a structure. Rhodes piano, guitar and cello add new dimensions, grounding the experimental in something familiar that makes it easier to swallow. On tracks like "Lucy Dub," there is also a hope present as well as a feeling of life beginning or continuing on unhindered. Pan and fade effects evoke a Doppler-like reaction, where it feels like the music is actively swirling around and passing in and out of the ears with an ease and playfulness. All at once the elements of each track climax together, and create a gentle swaying effect that is exquisite; and though this might take a while as the tracks are all rather lengthy, there is never a dull or unstatisfying sustain, as each section of the song burgeons with individuality. This is the auditory equivalent of being in the womb for me, and after listening to it I always feel comfortable and warm. First Narrows represents a new Loscil, one that hopefully continue to grow in the same vein.
Samples can be found here.
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