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I figured since I was out on an eclectic limb this month I would go all the way with this 2002 album from England’s Lemon Jelly. The first thing that hits you about the CD is its lack of text. Nothing…no artist name, no titles, no copyright, no label. Just one beautiful gatefold design works both inside and out. The music here is just as unique as the CD’s design. Lemon Jelly is Nick Franglen and Fred Deakin and this is their second full-length work. It’s hard to know how to categorize this music; it is part jazz, part experimental, and mostly techno. The techno part is redefined here with sparkling instrumentation and vocal samples weaved together. This stuff doesn’t make you want to get up and dance but instead, don the headphones and lay back for a vivid trip. Elements is an acoustic journey into the fundamentals of the Earth. This entire collection of tunes is not just a musical journey but, also a trip for the senses. The vocal and horn samples take the listener on a flying voyage across hills and valleys. It ends with a beautiful harmonica sound and a melody of chanted vocals that seem to make the song end almost as quickly as it began. Spacewalk begins with carefree tinkling keyboards and moves into another realm with charming vocals and keys. Just when it seems things may go awry guitar samples take the listener back into a feeling that truly does defy gravity. The combination of makes you feel that you’re weightless in cosmos. Ramblin' Man starts out with some rather tedious film vocal samples, but slowly picks up the pace. One isn’t quite sure if our character is a cowboy of a spaceman. But you are able to visualize your own interpretation without obvious input from the artists. Return To Patagonia is a toe tapping jazzy change of pace that goes into some free form horn samples. This is probably the most techno of all the songs on this album, but this duo has a knack for making all the instruments sound authentic. Plus there are some nice little surprises throughout. Nice Weather For Ducks is Lemon Jelly’s most “famous” tune. Starting out with a verse reminiscent of a nursery rhyme, this one really sucks you in. Sweeping violins, mandolin and guitar quickly move up the pace whizzing along so quickly that this tune needs to be listened to far more than one time. Ducks was briefly featured on VH1, the video is a psychedelic animation that is as ingenious as the song. Helping the action along are horns even Herb Albert would be envious of (if they weren’t already sampled from the Tijuana Brass). Experiment No. 6 is a playful tune with semi-dark undertones that quickly rebounds into a great trip. This is the sixth song on the CD but you are left to figure that out on your own since there are no titles. This mix starts out with one of the best effects on static that I have ever heard. The result is that the rhythim is midway through it before you event start to notice what is going on. The Curse Of Kaz'ar is the final song and it returns to the cityscape feeling heard on some of the other tracks. This music blends perfectly with the concept of the entire tapestry of the CD. The duo’s site has some great screensavers and samples of their music. Lemon Jelly is an incredible example of what can be done with sound. Be it to relax and trip with or to serve as inspiration for your own work with sound this CD leaves you with a grin on your face. If anyone asks why you’re so happy you can just reply: fall der, rallder, rallder … |
Regressive Music Review