ICON ONE

UK composer and musician Dave Pearson, these days residing in Hungary, launched his solo career using the moniker COMPUTERCHEMIST back in 2006. Since then he has released an album a year on average. "Icon One" from 2007 is the second of these full length productions.

The material at hand is one that by and large will see many comparisons made in the direction of Tangerine Dream. The use of electronic rhythm details of a melodic nature in particular is one that in sound, scope and overall atmosphere inspires associations to this legendary German unit, but the surging synth motifs, mournful backdrops and occasional darker toned undercurrents are all of a kind that most likely will sound familiar to long time fans of Tangerine Dream.

The multiple part compositions Icon One and Icon Zero dominates the proceedings, clocking in at just over 15 minutes each, the former most alike the aforementioned associations while the latter incorporate a few additional elements that creates a stronger personal identity to the proceedings, at least to my ears. The clever use of frantic, toned down rhythms in particular an element that elevates the listener experience in the latter case. In general I'll also remark that some of the more tender movements, utilizing the piano as lead motif provider, does give me associations towards Austrian keyboard wizard Gandalf just as much as Tangerine Dream.

The circular nature of the somewhat shorter creation Timethorns is probably the most impressive track as far as my own taste is concerned here. Opening with a careful piano and synth motif that gradually shifts to a more distinct Tangerine Dream sound, the overall intensity growing and subsequently fading nicely before going full circle as the compositions shifts back to the opening theme at the end. Final track The Message, with it's alternating sparse piano driven and layered synth and guitar driven movements, is another one that makes a strong overall impression.

All in all this is an album I feel can safely be recommended to fans of Tangerine Dream and artists exploring similar waters, and in particular those amongst them who tend to enjoy accessible, melodic music of this kind.

Happy Canada day everyone! Dave Pearson is the COMPUTERCHEMIST in question here. He is from England and has been in the music business since the early eighties. He was very much inspired by TANGERINE DREAM's "Cloudburst Flight' from their "Force Majeure" album back in the day. And while he is a drummer, bassist and guitar player, this man has quite the arsenal when it comes to electronic and analog equipment. He would go solo under the COMPUTERCHEMIST name in 2006, creating his own record label in the process.

In 2013 Pearson became part of a band called AUDIO COLOGNE PROJECT, but he continues to release solo albums in the process. "Icon One" is from 2008 and is his sophomore release. He has a long list of stuff he plays here including yamaha bass, fender stratocaster guitar and yamaha drum pads. When it comes to the electronic equipment it's impressive to say the least. All of this wouldn't amount to a hill of beans if he wasn't such a gifted composer. And that's the key in my opinion, and what makes COMPUTERCHEMIST a must for electronic fans out there.

This was love at first listen and I must admit I was very surprised in the process, not knowing this musician or project prior. Thankfully I did pick this record up along with two of his 2013 releases about a dozen years ago. We get five songs worth under 59 minutes. And I looked forward to spinning this each time. It's surprisingly catchy and melodic, with that 18 minute, self titled opener leading the way in those departments. The sequencers are certainly helping with that. But this guy has a brilliant way of combining different electronic sounds to great affect. A composer indeed. Some of this stuff is otherworldly and so majestic. Lots of piano too and that is where I hear that classical sound at times.

One of my favourite sounds is the melancholic synths, and we get plenty of those on this record beginning mostly on track two called "Timethorns". This gets majestic as well after 4 minutes with those sweeping sounds. But before that it's mid-paced sequencers and melancholy. The melancholy returns later. "Chaos Theory" is good with that guitar standing out along with synths that pulse and plenty of piano. "Icon Zero" at 17 minutes opens in a very dreamy and spacey manner. A bass line and beats join in around 5 minutes. Back to spacey then sequencers at 7 minutes. Melancholic synths around 10 minutes. Lots of space and piano later.

Finally, we get the closer "The Message" the shortest piece by far at under 5 minutes. And there's a video for this one. I'm really looking forward to those two 2013 releases after spending time with this one. Pearson recently released an album that sort of follows in Manual Gottsching's footsteps of a guitar only release playing spacey kosmisch music. A talented man, no doubt that.