Organic electronic and new ambient sonic boundaries effortlessly dissolve on Stream of Thought. — The mind is a mystery of thoughts and fluidly shifting collected memories. There are many thoughts which form complete storie... more »s, while others are mere threads with no beginning or ending. The flow of ideas is energetic, pulsating and often in dramatic contrast. In the same manner, Stream of Thought escorts us with cinematic precision through the mind s uncountable destinations. Organic electronic and new ambient sonic boundaries effortlessly dissolve on Stream of Thought.
With the combined experience of these two veteran electronic composers, this collaboration flows with an agility of emotion and intellect in fluid interplay; minimalist-inspired melodic tapestries, pulsing trance passages, deep drone drifts, and surreal soundscapes morph into cloud-like forms: a constant state of sonic evolution.
The results stand apart from the extended immersive long-form tracks of Steve s recent releases. While Stream of Thought is presented as a continuous flow of 19 interconnected pieces, the metaphor of sitting on a stream s edge under full engagement with the present moment is the appropriate context to experience the fluid ebb and mercurial flow of this living, streaming soundworld.
Roach and Wøllo s similar age, musical inspirations and sonic inclinations - along with a mutual respect for each other s 25+ years of work - inform Stream of Thought. Starting on two continents with two very different atmospheric conditions (the vast desert of Steve s Arizona and the icy solitude of Erik s homebase in Norway) this release began to take form in early 2007, as the composers traded musical ideas back and forth across long distances. The most formative aspect of the collaboration occurred in the summer of 2008 with Erik s visit to Steve s Timeroom studio in Arizona. Their week yielded the final recording, arrangement and editing. The approach to the album s structure was more like that of film editing, where a sense of time and pacing was consciously developed to activate a powerful visual/auditory reaction, a visceral experience.
Stream of Thought explores the nuance of shifts within our perception. Segments of illumination juxtaposed with amorphous interludes and moving, flowing rhythm culminate in an unforgettable, shifting, dynamic experience. Relax and float downstream. Tranquil drifts, passionate rapids, midnight star gazing and blazing sunsets await. This is a vivid soundtrack for the senses designed to take the listener to the outer reaches of the imagination.« less
Organic electronic and new ambient sonic boundaries effortlessly dissolve on Stream of Thought.
The mind is a mystery of thoughts and fluidly shifting collected memories. There are many thoughts which form complete stories, while others are mere threads with no beginning or ending. The flow of ideas is energetic, pulsating and often in dramatic contrast. In the same manner, Stream of Thought escorts us with cinematic precision through the mind s uncountable destinations. Organic electronic and new ambient sonic boundaries effortlessly dissolve on Stream of Thought.
With the combined experience of these two veteran electronic composers, this collaboration flows with an agility of emotion and intellect in fluid interplay; minimalist-inspired melodic tapestries, pulsing trance passages, deep drone drifts, and surreal soundscapes morph into cloud-like forms: a constant state of sonic evolution.
The results stand apart from the extended immersive long-form tracks of Steve s recent releases. While Stream of Thought is presented as a continuous flow of 19 interconnected pieces, the metaphor of sitting on a stream s edge under full engagement with the present moment is the appropriate context to experience the fluid ebb and mercurial flow of this living, streaming soundworld.
Roach and Wøllo s similar age, musical inspirations and sonic inclinations - along with a mutual respect for each other s 25+ years of work - inform Stream of Thought. Starting on two continents with two very different atmospheric conditions (the vast desert of Steve s Arizona and the icy solitude of Erik s homebase in Norway) this release began to take form in early 2007, as the composers traded musical ideas back and forth across long distances. The most formative aspect of the collaboration occurred in the summer of 2008 with Erik s visit to Steve s Timeroom studio in Arizona. Their week yielded the final recording, arrangement and editing. The approach to the album s structure was more like that of film editing, where a sense of time and pacing was consciously developed to activate a powerful visual/auditory reaction, a visceral experience.
Stream of Thought explores the nuance of shifts within our perception. Segments of illumination juxtaposed with amorphous interludes and moving, flowing rhythm culminate in an unforgettable, shifting, dynamic experience. Relax and float downstream. Tranquil drifts, passionate rapids, midnight star gazing and blazing sunsets await. This is a vivid soundtrack for the senses designed to take the listener to the outer reaches of the imagination.
CD Reviews
Brain Therapy
Stanley Brookoff | Brooklyn, NY | 06/16/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Electronic music is generally therapeutic. Any music with a droning sound is, but electronics tops the list. STREAM OF THOUGHT ranks with the best of them, and I've got a pretty good collection. (Tangerine Dream, Eno, Deuter, Roach, to name some top ranked ones.) STREAM OF THOUGHT is still new to me, but I know from experience that when a work of music effects me in a good way early on, before my system has incorporated and digested all of its nuances, it's going to be a favorite for me. If you like electronic music generally, and Steve Roach in particular, I think you're going to like STREAM OF THOUGHT."
Another Worthwhile Collaboration
Mike Smith | 04/19/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Stream of Thought is a work that I thoroughly enjoyed, and still enjoy. I have listened to it several nights in a row and have yet to get tired of it. I am not familiar with Erik Wollo, but can gather that whatever he contributed was good because the entire recording is good. There is some minimalism involved, but it all sounds very modern, and there is a lot of variety on this disc. I have many Steve Roach albums and collaborations and there is not one that I don't like. You really can't go wrong with Steve Roach if you like ambient music. He is a very prolific artist and has produced many excellent works, even some masterpieces. I would say if you like the tribal ambient side of things, get the highly celebrated Dreamtime Return (which is a double album), and if you like the smooth atmospheric drift away side of things get Immersion: Three (which is a triple album). Let's not forget this disc, Stream of Thought, which is very good. Actually, it's one of his best yet. But know that these are not your only choices for ambient excellence. Whatever choice you make, you have found the king of the genre with Steve. It is only a matter of choosing your favorites. Enjoy!"
Mr Roach At His Finest...
Joe Mugsy | 01/24/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Steve & Erik team up to make a great ambient album. What more can be said about Mr. Roach's music that hasn't been said already? If you are a fan of Steve you will not be disappointed. If you haven't heard any of Roach's ambient works this is not a bad place to start. The music on this cd is great for any emotion one is feeling at the time. Put in your cd player after a hard day's work....relax & drift away!!"
One of Steve's finest collaborations....
blackpage | USA | 05/26/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pretty hilarious, I originally ordered this at the same time I ordered a Roedelius CD. I thought I had put the Roedelius CD in first, and as I was listening, I thought..wait a minute. Where did this come from Roedelius? I couldn't believe, it. Half way through there's a small section that echoes the cosmiche spirit, and I thought, well, OK, but what a huge departure for him. I'm loving it.
OK, fast forward and I pop the disc out and see my mistake and share a laugh with myself, I should have known. This is my new favorite Roach CD, and that's saying something. It has a little of everything I like about his music, analog sequencing, digital dreaming, and Wallo's contributions are not to be taken lightly. He adds real dimension with his soundscaping, so much so that I'm already eyeballing what I want to get from his catalog. For now, this is a great place to start.
Highly recommended. Hearts of Space fans, dig in."
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1