SIGNATURES I

Hungary-based project COMPUTERCHEMIST is the creative vehicle of Englishman Dave Pearson. He started issuing material using this alias back in 2006, and have a total of seven full albums to date. The two most recent of these are Signatures I and Signatures II, both of them released in January 2013 as separate entities rather than as a double feature. Both of them featuring the talents of Zsolt Galantai on drums.

What separates these two productions, if anything, is something time will have to reveal for me personally. But as far as the first chapter of Signatures goes, it is an interesting excursion into a realm whose founding fathers were Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk. The traces of the former a distinctive feature throughout, but with occasional details and subtle traces of the latter appearing on occasion.

Pearson's approach as a composer is one that some might describe as somewhat one-dimensional. His creations doesn't head off into unexpected directions, and he isn't too fond of applying dramatic effects either. In fact, my impression is that something of a feature throughout this album is that some care has been taken to avoid any truly dramatic occurrences whatsoever. Instead, these musical journeys open up, quickly establish one or more lead motfis or ongoing musical details that will stick with us until the end, and then the song gradually, subtly and carefully develops. Textures, instruments and patterns come and go in a logical, fine flowing and unobtrusive manner. It's like Pearson have looked at a "hush, don't disturb" sign and used that as something of a vision, we're taken on a journey where we're invited to enjoy the journey itself rather than the promise of surprises along the way.

Just how intriguing the eight journeys presented to us here will be is a matter of individual taste more than anything though. It is something of a prerequisite to enjoy compositions developing in the matter outlined obviously, but apart from that it will be an individual case just how compelling each composition will be. Personally I found the creations exploring the darker moods most intriguing, Corporatosaur and Six Phase Mains first and foremost. Complete with gently hammering electronic yet melodic effects and effective synth effects, a fine coating of drum patterns courtesy of Galantai and atmospheric guitar details of a kind that should find instant recognition by those familiar with late 70's Pink Floyd. Most impressive of all to my ears is the concluding piece though, listed as a bonus track. Landform 2012 is something of an exception to what's previously described, as this short piece utilize a fair degree of dramatic effects, although applied and utilized with care, and at least to my ears the arrangements are somewhat more intricate too, with several contrasting patterns and motifs creating a stronger nerve throughout.

All in all a fine piece of electronic music of the progressive variety, employing and utilizing elements from the art rock realms to good effect. Floydian guitar details in particular, but drummer Galantai appears to be a musician well versed in sophisticated music too and adds a vibrant, organic and skilled touch to the proceedings that does elevate the overall experience.

COMPUTERCHEMIST is the project of Dave Pearson who is from the UK. He had been in bands since the 80's before going solo in 2006. I like that he plays bass, guitar and drums and adds them to his inventive use of electronics. I reviewed his 2008 album "Icon I" where Dave does it all. So it was interesting to see he actually hired a drummer for this album. We still get bass and guitar from Pearson but he's upped the ante with this move.

"Signatures I" was released in 2013 along with "Signatures II" which I hope to review soon. This one is a long one at over 75 minutes covering eight tracks. It's just not as consistent as "Icon I" in my opinion, but there are several tracks I am really into. The first of those would be "Szoltmatic-10" with the opening thunder and melancholic synths. Tripping along here as sequencers drive this along. Guitar arrives around 5 minutes in, then it's the sequencer/drum show after 7 1/2 minutes. The drummer's last name is Szolt which is of course in this song title.

"Corporatosaur" just sounds really cool with the electronics and guitar. Drums will kick in around 5 1/2 minutes then the guitar cries out. Really good! It turns spacey late to end it. "Six Phase Mains" is another highlight with the drums and sequencers doing their thing with spacey synths providing atmosphere. Some nice synth sounds here and the guitar around 3 1/2 minutes is a bonus. The closer rounds out my top four. "Landform 2012" is the shortest one on here but it's quality. Sequencers and drums as the guitar joins in. It's a great recipe my friends.

The one track I didn't really like was "Broken Daliuette". COMPUTERCHEMIST has been a really nice discovery. I like guitar and real drums in my electronics and Dave delivers the goods. And the man can compose a song, I'll say that.