002- Blurred Spires - Bewildered

How do you make an ambient album that differentiates itself, that stands on its own in a sea of soundscapes? Out of all the possible genres, ambient seems like it would be one of the most difficult to write an album with interesting instrumentation and quirks.  But that is exactly what Jeff Brown and Greg Weber achieved on their collaboration Blurred Spires.

In talking with Mr. Weber and Mr. Brown, I inquired how they achieved the unique sounds on this recording.  It turns out they had a rather novel approach: guitar synths.  The basis for this album started with Jeff and Greg's Stratocasters and Roland guitar synths.  From there each artist used an array of instruments/synthesizers and post processing effects to achieve the completed sound on this album (full list of equipment used is below).

However, novel sounds mean nothing if not used in an effective manner, and that is precisely the type of execution that is delivered on Bewildered.  Whether it's the eerie opener Sabbatical or the warm ambiance of the closing track Resolve into Clear, the album consistently engages the listener with multiple layers of effects, synth pads, and instrumental playfulness that makes the sum greater than its parts.

Down the Street Static gives an extended look at what the duo is capable of and acts as a microcosm for the entirety of the album.  The track begins with some layered synth tones that evoke a slim feeling of hope.  Those tones are quickly crowded out by off key and converging sounds that bring tension to the music.  This is a common theme in many of the tracks: a basis is formed and then built upon with various instrumentation that are in conflict with one another.  This continues until the end of the track, building into an ever growing cacophony of sounds and melodies clashing against each other.  By the 9 minute mark, the chaos is so intense that the combination of sounds is bordering on noise.  Nonetheless, this is one of the strongest tracks on the album.

Additional ideas are on display in the duo tracks Murmuration 1 and Quartz.  These two tracks are two parts of a whole with Murmuration 1 laying the foundation and Quartz seeing the ideas come to full fruition.  Throughout these tracks the instrumentals have a playful tone to them, almost as if a musician is playing random passages to themselves and we just happen to walk by and catch a few moments.  These subtle musings continue in greater effect across the eight minutes of Quartz, sounding like a distant bass guitar jamming on a summer night.  It's one of the qualities of the album that immediately stood out and continues to impress me how well it is executed throughout the album's soundscapes.  

Katy Died is another standout track.  While in other tracks the instrumental noodlings are subtle and are easily missed - the instruments in this track are well established, taking form as a trumpet over dark soundscapes.  A slow but steady pulse drives the music forward throughout its five minute run time. The track has a much stronger focus than much of the album, staying with a similar sound throughout its length.  The whole composition evokes feelings of a noir city street at night.  

The remaining tracks all have their own unique character and add value to the album. Whether it's the distorted bell and pipe organs of Sabbatical or perhaps how all of the clashing instrumentals finally work together in Edges, there is something to be gained from every track.   What Blurred Spires offer on this release is a beautiful take on the ambient and dark ambient genres that is worth repeated listens.  It reveals more of its character and treasures with each repetition. If you are a fan of either genre you owe it to yourself to check this album out, as you will be rewarded greatly by doing so.

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to Spencer Booth at New Motion for getting me in touch with Jeff and Greg.  Also huge thank you to both Jeff Brown and Greg Weber for answering my questions and sharing your thoughts about this album.  

Equipment Used:

Jeff Brown -  Fender Stratocaster with a Roland guitar synth pickup going into an old Roland GR-1 and Electro Harmonix 16 second delay for the drifting soundscapes

Greg Weber -  Roland GR-55, a Yamaha Motif, a Fender Stratocaster, Hohner Melodica, harmonica and some sounds from Ableton with some effects from an Eventide H9, a Zoom MG-50 and a Roger Linn AdrenaLinn.