ARTIFICIAL JOY

This 2009 TAYLOR'S UNIVERSE release is one of his more melodic and tamer albums that they've put out i'd say. That avant flavour is all but gone here. I didn't notice until after I wrote this review down on paper that it mentions in the liner notes that Robin used mellotron on it so i'll have to re-listen. Funny that he also mentions that he uses a variety of synthesizers, funny because on albums past he has noted "No synthesizers !". Times change right ? I would consider this as being in the Jazz / Fusion realm for the most part. It's weird but I like all the odd numbered songs the best.

"Work" sounds great early on with piano then it picks up before a minute before settling back again. Horns 2 minutes in and guitar after 3 minutes. "Artificial Joy" is one where the rhythm doesn't do a lot for me but when it kicks in with horns, keys and guitar i'm smiling. "Days Run Like Horses" opens with some atmosphere then drums and horns start to lead before 3 minutes. A calm 4 1/2 minutes in then it kicks back in after 5 1/2 minutes. Nice. "Atmosfear" opens with drums, organ, horns then guitar. It settles with bass and percussion just before 2 minutes. It kicks back in at 4 minutes with the guitar leading then horns 5 1/2 minutes in.

"Laughter" is a good one. It's melancholic with organ to start then we get horns before a minute. It kicks in with a full sound 2 minutes in. Female spoken words tell us a story. Funny stuff. Lots of laughter too. I like the calm 4 minutes in and some nice guitar before 6 1/2 minutes. "Telephone" has this beeping sound to start then the music kicks in with the horns playing over top. Keys 2 1/2 minutes in then the horns are back and more beeping sounds. Guitar lights it up 4 minutes in. "Fame" sounds great as the horns join in. The guitar replaces the horns. Nice. Horns are back and the guitar sounds really good before 4 minutes then the horns take over once again. An eerie atmosphere 5 minutes in as we get a very cool ending to this album.

I like "Return To Whatever" a little better and that one is a low 4 stars for me. So 3.5 stars it is. Both were released the same year but hey you can't go wrong with a TAYLOR'S UNIVERSE release.