GHOSTS ON MAGNETIC TAPE

Porcupine Tree mainman Steven Wilson seems to have his musical fingers in more pies than just about anyone I can think of. Bass Communion is one of his ambient projects. I've never been the biggest fan of ambient soundscapes, they're usually something I can only listen to in small doses but I must admit to rather liking Ghosts On Magnetic Tape. It's based around apparently genuine recordings of the dead communicating with the living which Wilson has weaved into his soundscapes. Now whether you believe in this sort of stuff or not is another matter but what I can say is that Wilson has successfully created a suitably eerie backdrop for these recordings on 5 separate pieces.

Supernatural crackles and vague voice sounds are heard over droning ambient backdrops creating a genuinely dark and disturbing at times sounding album. Definitely an album to lay back and listen to in the dark for maximum impact.

Since its original release it has now been re-released with a bonus disc containing the Andrew Liles reconstructions. Steven Wilson is of the opinion that this version is even creepier than his original mixes but I must admit to for the most part preferring Wilson's versions; the album just seems to flow that much better.

I don't think I'll be tempted to go out and buy all the Bass Communion Cd's but for the occasional eerie chill out this one will do fine. 3 ½ stars.