Search - David Darling :: Cycles

Excellent and unique work

Heliopolis | 02/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's difficult for me to classify this album in any style, and if you're familiar with David Darling's more current work, this album may not even seem to come from the same person. Regardless, this is a beautiful, transcendent album of powerfully expressive music. The instruments are surprisingly few for the effect they achieve, and completely traditional - bass, cello, sax, etc - but I've honestly never heard them used like this before.



Unlike many of the styles it draws from, the music on this album doesn't attempt to stay within the listeners comfort zone. Instead it is unrestrained - ranging from emotional, deeply contemplative, to ultimately transcendent pieces. You could classify it avant garde, but the album has no vibe of intellectual distance about it. The pieces feel innocent, fresh, and sincere, holding enough traditional structure to make them accessible, while the use of real instruments keeps it grounded as the music reaches as far as it can to break the bounds of a normal musical experience.



Although the album isn't easy to come by anymore, I highly recommend tracking it down to those interested in styles as varied as jazz, ambient/space, modern classical, or avant garde/eclectic."