Reviewed by: Massimo Ricci

There are undersung albums that just need to be hyped around, and rightly so. This is one of them: two splendid compositions, masterfully assembled by a pair of lead players in the game of electronically treated field recordings, demonstrate how an evolved sound artist can transform simple sources into mayflowers and nightglows. Toy.Bizarre's "Well, wind, wood, night, plane" has a self-explanatory title and, according to its author, should be enjoyed only on headphones. Being this reviewer a little disobedient, I tried both settings and actually preferred the speakers, even if the suggested method is more useful for revealing the undercurrent activities characterizing the piece. Everything you hear was recorded in Pommier, France and is told to be highly evocative for the composer; indeed, the particular resonance of the well redeems "normal" sounds, modifying their essence until everything spirals into constant implausibility, eliciting aural shades of the finest blend. Metallic gurgles, disguised birds and a fabulous aeroplane are meshed in an undescribable memento of something that we have surely experienced but can't recollect in any way. One feels trapped in a giant drainpipe but at the same time perfectly willing to remain there and accept any consequence. Dale Lloyd's "From dayspring to eventide: within the green half-light" is a finely delicate mixture of environmental sounds and electronics, whose efficiency and exquisite coherence is typical of this composer. Contrarily to Toy.Bizarre's track, we're in presence of something that affects our momentary existence more subliminally, tiny harmonics, insects and gradual crepuscular views inching forward to find the right framework in our mind to be fixed in and remain as a permanent, indelible memory, even if those circumstances will never be replicated. A silent intensity unfolds slowly, then disappears only to be replaced by murmuring waters and a general sense of rarefaction. Both sides of this precious coin shine of their respective radiance, and expressing a preference would be foolishly useless. An absolute must.