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ulrich schnauss, "a strangely isolated place"
The second full length album from Mr. Schnauss acts as an amazing springtime soundtrack, as all the trees are budding and the grass is turning a vivid green (with the exception of "Blumenthal," which can easily be music for an ice skating couple illuminated by Christmas lights).
"A Letter From Home" and the opener, "Gone Forever" almost act like bridges between the similar thoughts and sounds from the last album, with guitar work heavily influenced by Cocteau Twins and shuffling hip hop-inspired beats. Other songs like "On My Own," "Clear Day," and "In All the Wrong Places" are considerably faster paced than most of the existing Schnauss repertoire, and the results are warmly welcomed. Those familiar with the two tracks on Blue Skied an' Clear shouldn't be surprised that Judith Beck has donated her vocals to a number of songs this time around. Adding vocals is a perfectly natural progressive move that a number of instrumental artists find themselves doing, but there are times when the voice seems like a crutch when there's a lack of a strong enough lead instrument or sound. Fortunately, Schnauss's drum programming skills and arsenal of sound effects are far more advanced here than on the stunning 2001 release, Far Away Trains Passing By, but on the vocal tracks I often feel there is a sort of an emptiness where a lead instrument could or should sometimes be. Loops and side melodies may act as nice decorations but push the parsley aside, I want some meat. Lucky sods in the UK have the opportunity to have Mr. Schnauss play (or even stay) with them. Check the CCO website for venues and dates. 
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