Andrew Schrock's Grounded Records promises to release music fromartists who are forward thinkers in today's soundscape. If thiscompilation is any indication, the label has a strong future. Followingthe release of a handful of singles, Grounded Soundis the label's first CD release, featuring tracks donated by artistsSchrock respects as well as some repeat participants the label hasworked with previously, such as Greg Davis. All of the artists involvedgenerate ambient compositions with some level of digital processing.Several of them reveal manic tendencies, as well, with structures thatshuffle and shiver above the static sounds below. The end result is anextremely pleasurable experience, one that puts the mind and body atease with an elegant mix of similar styles yet different approaches.E*rock's "Ice Museum," for instance, is a slow-build hum withoccasional beeps and swishes and lovely vocals, while Melodium'sacoustic guitar-based "Impropre" starts! gently enough but then getsinterrupted and broken by all sorts of computer madness. Both tracksproduce the same feeling, but through different means and withdifferent components. Every track is a standout, from the here andthere stutter of Misterinterrupt, to the drum and tumble of DonMennerich, and on to the glow and gurgle of Charles Atlas. It's amazinghow cohesive the compilation is considering the fact that twelveartists participate, and although a few of the tracks are previouslyreleased elsewhere, it's full of new music that stimulates as well asit impresses.- Blatter - UV
- Don Mennerich - Theme From Postindustry
- Charles Atlas - Italian Air
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