SELFISHNESS - SOURCE OF WAR & VIOLENCE

From very first sounds I was intrigued by melodic, a bit dark, slightly melancholic atmosphere. Guitar lines, keyboard lines. I could say I like this music, but very soon (after few songs) I just realised I need some more spices in this music. Mid tempo music with similar angular constructions, some interesting sounds quite soon became too much ... repetitive. Not enough drama, nothing happens.

Then I just made a pause, and after some time started to listen album from the place I stopped. Absolutely same feeling. Few first songs sounds quite attractive, than you feel as you're watching the same movie once again.

Possibly, this problem is common for many multi instrumentalists' works. First of all it's extremely difficult to play many instruments at the same high level. But even bigger problem is that in fact very important (if not most important) instrument become studio itself. Using endless overlays, it's so easy to kill all dynamics of previously live music.

We are learned it still from Mike Oldfield's sound many-layers production company. Not too many things changed from that time. Earlier this year great guitarist Pat Metheny tried to solve this problem recorded his real solo album "Orchestrion", when he played all instruments himself, but used Robotics and mechanical devices to have possibility to play as much instruments at the same time as possible. He even had a world tour, demonstrating this techniques live during concerts. For sure, it is much easier way to do it, using computers, but then you will miss this live sound again. So, Pat Metheny partially solved this problem, his album sounds if not very special, but not frozen and lifeless. But it's a rare example.

So, there on Selfishness... unhappily this problem exists in its full. Having it's great moments, album in all sounds very static, lifeless, sometimes repetitive.

Possibly, it's difficult to suggest something new there: I believe same material, played with a band of competent musicians, could sound much better. But - even there enthusiastic fan of symphonic prog will find many pleasant moments to listen.

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