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Ashra - New Age of Earth CD (album) cover

NEW AGE OF EARTH

Ashra

 

Progressive Electronic

4.02 | 226 ratings

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Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer
4 stars Manual Gottsching left ASH RA TEMPEL after the "Join In" album which was their fifth. He then put out a solo album called "Inventions For Electric Guitar" which he also called "Ash Ra Tempel VI". He then switched record labels and continued to go solo, calling his project ASHRA, he being the only member of the band. This is ASHRA's first album called "New Age Of Earth". The obvious difference between ASH RA TEMPEL and ASHRA besides the number of musicians, is that with ASHRA Gottsching has turned to the Electronic style of music not unlike TANGERINE DREAM. He certainly began that on his "Inventions For Electric Guitar" album. I do prefer ASH RA TEMPEL and the traditional sound, and use of the guitar which Manual plays so well, but that's just my taste in music.

"Sunrain" is an upbeat tune with keys,and electronics creating the melody (rain) throughout. Synths come in 1 1/2 minutes in like the sun shining upon the soundscape. "Ocean Of Tenderness" is much more spacey than the first song as synths wash in and out slowly. Some gentle guitar comes in late.

"Deep Distance" is a blend of the first two tracks. Spacier than "Sunrain" but not as spacey as "Ocean Of Tenderness". It does give the impression we are in deep space far from all our troubles. "Nightdust" was originally a side long song at almost 22 minutes. Again the title of the song gives us a clue to what Manual was thinking when he composed this song. Spacey winds in the form of synths blow across the lonely soundscape, it's dark. Keys before 12 minutes as the song calms right down 16 1/2 minutes in. Guitar arrives 2 minutes later. Nice.

4 stars.

Mellotron Storm | 4/5 |

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