Search - Loscil :: First Narrows

Cool, hazy maritime ambient masterpiece

Richard Yacuk | Whippany, NJ USA | 12/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered the music of Brian Eno while in college in the 80s (I was a U2 fan and had a friend that practically stood on his head to get me to give Eno a try). Ever since those days, I've been on a musical journey of sorts looking for music that might somehow bring me to the places that Eno could. The music of Loscil, specifically "First Narrows" is one of the few albums I've encountered since then that approaches the delicate ebb and flow of those ambient marvels.



Those not accustomed to the "flavors" of modern electronic music, specifically what is today called minimal or dub, might initially be put off by "First Narrows," perhaps thinking that the rhythms have no place in an ambient landscape. However, with time the gentle rhythms simply melt into landscapes of warm Rhodes electric piano, echoed/wash guitars, and softened, treated synth washes.



The ambient feel, and album and song titles at times conjure images of bays or coastal areas, and the gentle rhythms pulse like ripples on a quiet body of water.



The mood is not so downbeat or depressing, but rather pensive with a slightly optimistic, driven quality.



I've owned this album for just over three months now and simply cannot stop listening. I also strongly recommend the prior album, the 2002 "submers" also on the Kranky label."

Excellent minimalist ambient

Jmark2001 | Florida | 08/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really like this group. They put out somewhat hypnotic (but never repetitious and boring), interesting ambient music that I could hear in the background all day long without it getting annoying or boring It takes artistic restraint and taste to make this stuff. You have to know what NOT to put on the track and leave well enough alone. You also need to be able to come up with interesting and novel sounds and combinations. Loscil does this. All of their albums are great and this one is no exception. If you like Eno's best stuff, this will be what you are looking for."

Best album by Loscil

mhouse | Phoenix, AZ United States | 02/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own this album as well as Plume and Triple Point. Hands down, this is the best of those. The music is seamless, listenable and captures your attention. This album is the most cohesive of the others by Loscil with a clear underlying musical score. If you're new to Loscil, this is the place to start. Triple Point is my second favorite and Plume is third. From the sound samples, Submers sounds too much like Plume, which doesn't have the variety of tonalities I find so enjoyable with First Narrows."