Search - Synaesthesia :: Embody

Synaesthesia - 'Embody' (Cleopatra)

Mike Reed | USA | 08/02/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Looks to be the band's first CD.I,personally liked it better than it's follow-up,'Desideration'(see my review).Simply more idealistic industrial/electronic to fully experience.Tracks that I was semi-impressed with were "Outland", the atmospheric ten-minute "New Horizons" (perhaps the CD's best cut) and "Floatation". I guess electronica isn't exactly my favorite genre, but if I'm in the right mood,I can get into this. Big-time fans of such should get more from this CD than I did."

One of Delerium's Many Side Projects...

The Esoteric Camel | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 06/15/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As some of you may already know, Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber have worked on a number of bands together. Most notable Frontline Assembly and Delerium. Synaesthesia is just one of a few of their lesser known incarnations, and probably the most ambient out of the bunch. This is not to say that there is no bite to the songs in this album. Check out the first song "Outland" to find an interesting beat along side sampled chanting.Contract issues keep them from taking credit for the songs on this disc (they are credited to R. Deckard). However, they are responsible for "sonic manipulation and production. The common view is that Leeb and Fulber were more involved than is implied. It was released shortly after Delerium's "Semantic Spaces" album, and the similarities between them are indeed apparent. However, "Embody" concentrates more on atmospherics rather than the beat, to create something that stands on its own. There is certainly more of a electro-tribal feel to the music, the likes of Steve Roach, thanks to the use of ethnic sound samples and lack of a dancefloor hooks. This, however, is a good thing, as it makes for an engrossing listen, showing that electronica is more than simple techno. Perhaps the highlight of the album apart from the opening are the final two tracks. "Submerged" begins with distorted samples washing over everything and gradually building, until the beats break in about a minute and a half in. The melody always floating on top of everything. "Floatation" is another wash of synths, rushing in and out throughout the whole song. The beats and percussion are muted and minimal, as the synths carry one through it all, floating on a river of dark sound. Fans of tribal Delerium take note, this is satisfactory, though not excellent."