I've just bought Banco's new cd 'Last train to Lhasa' (Planet Dog) and I
thought I'd share with everyone a short review, including my thoughts of
it (for what they're worth). I bought 'Maya' a couple of years ago and
was impressed with the unique combination of rhythm and sonics so I didn't
hesitate when I saw Toby's latest release. I've been listening to it constantly
since I got hold of it (7 days ago) and its still growing on me. Its typically
Banco and doesn't break much new ground but still sounds fresh. The whole cd
has a Tibetan feel to it - there is a message inside the inlay asking listeners to support the Tibetans who are (apparently) being overrun by the chinese (nuff said).The version I happened upon is
CD One : 01 : Last train to Lhasa
02 : Kuos
03 : China (clouds no mountains)
04 : Amber
05 : Kincajou
06 : White Paint
07 : 887 (structure)
CD Two : 01 : Kuos (gnomes mix)
02 : Kincajou (duck! asteroid)
03 : Eagle (small steppa mix)
CD Three : This contains three tracks which are not listed
anywhere on the inlay.
Both cd's 1 and 2 are over 60 minutes long and the third is about 40 mins
which makes for quite a lot of listening for the price of a normal cd!(M-^\12)
LAST TRAIN TO LHASA begins with the sounds of an old steam train approaching,
mixed with various voices etc. We are then left with the sound of the train
forming a basic rhythm and a understated string smoothly gliding along
underneath like the rails. This is then joined by some crystal clear
electronic plucked strings playing a repetitive but very noticable tune which,
of course, is in time to the train. Its as if its all telling a story about
the journey of this steam engine - you can see it all happening aboard the
carriages. The first sightings of some percussion come into view now,
approaching slowly but surely, like the train did to start with until they
burst upon us. Now we're really moving. More layered textures smooth the
journey and then a bass line makes itself clear (was it there all the time?).
The whole cacophany is accompanied by chanting (Tibetan I presume) and the
picture is complete. There is a break (at a station) where just the rhythm
presides, but the train returns and its off again. After nearly 12 minutes
of opening track, the train is left to fade into the distance and we are
left with our ears firmly open wondering what will be next.
KUOS begins with the train nearly gone and the sounds of 'snake-charmer'
pipes (reminiscent of a market place - one would think) and voices. The
market then becomes a surreal bazaar with the introduction of a rather
percussive foot-tapping rhythm which is accompanied by chanting.
CHINA (CLOUDS NOT MOUNTAINS) takes us further afield and begins with a nice
story about a chap who decides to move a mountain rock by rock (mmm, very
well!!). Very laid piece - nice rolling rhythm with pleasing sounds. Not
outstanding - just, nice.
AMBER again creates a new atmosphere with an unnatural combination of an
orchestral string section with some ethnic percussion which actually works
well. This track has a nice dubby feel to it making use of more pipe type
sounds in succesful combination with clever use of the strings again. It
culminates with chanting (the chanting features heavily on the album, keeping
a theme going throughout most of the cd).
KINCAJOU begins very peculiarly with a funny little tinny tune with all
the sections being played badly (on purpose) but then we are hurled bodily
into the tune proper. Fast moving moving funky beats and lovely electronic
modulated sounds create a high tempo refresher just in case you thought
you were going to get away with this one lightly! Stormin'.
WHITE PAINT begins dramatically with some big drums and lots of ooooh's
and a few bleeps thrown in for good measure. A laid back rhythm slowly
builds on top of this and is then accompanied by various ascending pipe
loops and samples of voices. And then.....
887 (STRUCTURE) - the blowing of the wind and some lovely pan-pipes building
with some looped noise samples. This is followed by an electronic repetition
which is left on its own but not for long - a gorgeous washy bass swims
around our heads and the loops and pipes return. Synth strings and, modulated
bleeps are all added for the final effect and it all sounds very nice -
but turns rather eerie in the middle as we're just left with the noise loops
plus some other sounds which totally change the pleasant atmosphere. The
pipes and strings that we clung onto for a thread of sanity died and we're
left, alone. Have no fear though because the sanity returns bringing
reinforcements in the form some percussion.....saved!
We're then reminded that potatoes cannot survive in outer space!
CD2 :
KUOS (GNOMES MIX) is a more kickin' version of the album version with echoes
of the original washing in and out.
KINCAJOU (DUCK! ASTEROIDS) - a very long track, this one. Unlike the album
version this starts in a very sleepy, ambient manner and very slowly developes.
Its only after about 8 mins that it starts to come awake with the opening
of a percussive eye. The whole track drifts in and out of this state of
semi-conciousness for the full 36+ mins but doesn't grow tiresome. Maybe
it would after more plays - I don't know.
EAGLE (STEPPA MIX) consists of nice oscillating synthy string sounds, echoing
pipes, sounds taken from Huston space centre (presumably) and more strings
and a typically Banco percussion and rhythm - great! All this is combined
with an understated bass (the sort you take fro granted but would miss if
it wasn't there) to make an excellent track.
CD3 :
These track are unlisted in the inlay but as far as I can make out they
are as follows :
CHINA - rehash of the original.
AMBER - ditto.
UNKOWN - This track didn't resemble anything else on this album. It is
very atmospheric and the only way I can describe it briefly is to say that
while I was listening to it I thought it would make very good incidental
film music for a science fiction thriller (ie. BladeRunner).
Since I embarked upon writing this review I've noticed a few mentions of
this album pop up on IDM and was pleased to see that the overall response
was good. I think it is one of those albums that don't jump out a grab
you by the throat the first time you listen to it - it just slowly creeps
up from behind and throttles you with a cheeswire when you're not looking.
A definite recommended purchase.
Gavin.