Search - Cul De Sac :: China Gate

Guitar, drums, and synth instrumentals.

Yet another old guy | Phoenix, Arizona | 09/25/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"OK, let's try a more descriptive review.This album is primarily intrumental electric guitar, bass guitar, somewhat jazz-style drumming, with various accompaniment by synthesizers and odd noises. This music does have a 60's and 70's 'spacey' sound to it, but definitely updated. It is closer to surf music than Hendrix. It certainly isn't Clapton. I suppose there are elements similar to mid-period Pink Floyd, but not as structured. Even though the guitars sometimes have some serious distortion, it's nothing like grunge. It is somewhat similar to the best intrumental efforts of Can or the Far East Family Band, if that helps anybody.Um, let's see... the guitar intrumentals are melodic; I sometimes find my self humming parts of the tunes. Many of the tracks start out quietly with one or two instruments building up to something. This makes most of the tracks fairly long (not a bad thing in my opinion).This is headphones music, not party music. Now that I think about it, it has some 'ambient music' elements to it. I tend to think about other things while it's playing.If any of the above sounds like what you like, you won't be sorry. I doubt you'd ever hear any of this album on a radio station unless you live near a university. I gave 4 stars because I like other albums better, but I wouldn't sell this one either.Just be sure to skip the short vocal tracks "China Gate" and the reprise. Eesh. Sorry, but that ain't music."