Search - Scala :: Beauty Nowhere

The ULTIMATE Spaced-Out Electro-Sonic Masterpeice!

fredofla | LOS ANGELES, CA. USA | 07/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"....Scala was the extraordinary "next step" on the natural evolutionary progression from the earlier electro-ambient experimentaions of Seefeel, the groundbreaking band invented by Mark Van Hoen & Mark Clifford. "Beauty Nowhere" is now sadly out-of-print; but nevertheless continues to stand as one of the most important noise-pop albums produced during the 1990's. The hybrid influence of both My Bloody Valentine and The Cocteau Twins is lovingly stamped on every square inch of this many-layered sonic angel's food cake of post-modern electronic pop.
Masses of electronic beats and samples collide and bloom as undiluted eccentric soundscapes like strange swollen monsoon clouds collecting in the distance; and above it all floats the heavenly ethereal bliss that is the voice of Sarah Peacock. If anyone asks when was the birth of the brave new electro-dreampop....just point them in the direction of the amazing and innovative sonic delights that exist on Scala "Beauty Nowhere." It may take a while for history to finally comprehend the mindboggling genius that was Mark Van Hoen and Sarah Peacock.....but, not unlike Kevin Shield's visionary "My Bloody Valentine" and the otherworldly creations of Guthrie/Fraser on the albums of the Cocteau Twins: good things eventually come to those who wait. Strange and seductive and wholly inventive in the best sense of the word, "Beauty Nowhere" remains, even now, a major step forward on the evolutionary road to pure transcendant sonic bliss. For those with adventurous tastes for challenging kinds of new music....Scala gets my HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!"

Nightmare dream come true

fredofla | 05/01/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Locust and Seefeel folks team up for super semi suicidal dreamyindustrial soundscapes. Sound as layer, texture, a stream for vocals to wriggle in and out of. Lovely drum programming. If you miss Seefeel or My Bloody Valentine, you are in luck, because this tops them both. It's also beautiful."