Search - Wim Mertens :: Close Cover

Reiteration

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 02/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Merten's primary identity is as a composer and performer in the 'minimalist' tradition. He plays guitar and piano, and has become fond of the human voice as an instrument as well. Born in Belgium, the 80's were a fertile period for him, laying much of the ground work for his future creativity, which has continued steadily up through today. He is actually iconoclastic for a minimalist, perfectly willing to take the massive textural walls of that genre or leave them for a good melody, moving them from forground to background as well. I think of this as style in service to art, something that is rare in today's music, and much to be admired when found.Compared to mainstream minimalism (Phillip Glass, John Adams, etc.) Mertens is slower paced and less prone to harsh contrasts. He frequently uses distinct layers of sound that reveal themselves gradually as if one was peeling an onion. In addition, his interest in voice and melody often disguise the underlying minimalism, creating an effect which is only slightly removed from contrapuntal. One of the challenges I've found with reviewing Wim Mertens' Windham Hill output is that each album is actually a selection from Mertens' 'real' discography, released primarily under his own label. 'Close Cover', for instance, is drawn from three albums 'Struggle for Pleasure' (Tourtour, Struggle for Pleasure, Close Cover, and Gentlemen of Leisure), 'Vergessen' (Circular Breathing), and 'Maximizing the Audience' (Lir). While this provides a perspective of Mertens' work at that time, it mixes compositions is a fashion unintended by the composer.Is this bad? Not at all. Mertens is one of those classical composers who manage to bridge the gap to 'popular' music without giving accepted canons a not. This makes him of interest to a wide audience and worth hearing no matter how it is served up. If you found yourself intrigued by Glass' music for 'Koyanisqatsi' this is a logical next step to take. One that will provide a great deal of pleasure."

Close to Home

B. Villa | Dallas, TX United States | 10/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album may be a "compilation" of other works he had done, but oh, how this must then be a "best of" compilation. His music flows so strangely and myteriously, yet soothing.



Mertens starts with his title song, Close Cover. I can't emphasise the beautiful piano strokes that make this his 'heart-felt' song. The following songs after are haunting and mysterious, yet soothing. He plays as if to place you in a time and place only you can visualize. He climaxes this haunting scale of music with Gentlemen of Leisure, a strange upbeat of keystrokes that is certainly pick you up.



Then, in his final song, Lir... he takes us to the depths of our heart. He searches our heart with his piano, with a slight tinge of classical tastes. This is the song you will simply play over and over only to discover Mertens has touched you in a spiritual sense that will leave hungering for more. He does this beautifully."