AMBIENT DEN

Ambient Den are an Australian three piece band comprising Tim Bennetts on piano, keyboards and vocals, Ben Craven on guitars, bass, programming and vocals with Dean Povey on drums and vocals.

This project entered my radar I believe due to me having three of Ben Craven's solo albums. So this piqued my interest _ how different would this be? The album has six tracks containing three instrumentals and three songs.

The first track called 'Future History Part 1' is an instrumental at not quite two minutes long and acts as in intro. Starting out like wind in a tunnel, it soon incorporates atmospheric synthesizer and acoustic guitar. This is suddenly heightened by blues-style electric guitar and drums that lead into the next track 'For All Mankind'.

This second track starts with an ear catching hook on keyboards that will permeate your mind. A very intelligent way to start the album as it invests the listener straight away. The bass and drums soon emphasise this riff and Ben's guitar subtly enters. The vocals matches the riff and you can't help but sing along with this addictive melody. The singing has a peaceful and uplifting flavour that along with the whole album is a space or sci-fi filled theme. It ends with an elongated guitar solo backed by an ethereal backdrop played on synthesizer that returns to that catchy riff and song.

At nearly six minutes the third track called 'Provenance' is an instrumental that makes you feel like you are floating. Interweaving between electric guitar and keyboards creates a sublime airy feel and places your mind in a meditation and before you realise, it ends with a soft crisp piano.

Singing almost begins straight away with the fourth track 'Earthrise' that has the same delicate tone as in 'For All Mankind'. The lyrics bring in a sense of hope and a positive vibe that truly lifts your soul:

"All we need is an Earthrise in our dark skies Summoning day from night. All we need is an Earthrise in our closed eyes Baring our soul to the light".

A simple and yet strong message. Acoustic guitar and pulsating keyboards again emphasises that spacey feel. Half way through a keyboard solo ensues with the guitar as background that transpires to acoustic guitar rising to the top and then electric guitar fully taking over.

Fifth track 'Terraforming' is the epic track running at 16 and a half minutes and what a joy this is. The piano is pounded in soft velvet for the beginning with acoustic guitar delicately played and organ percolating through. When the drums enter, so does the electric guitar that grasps our hands to lead us on the journey. Background vocals highlights our feeling of weightlessness. A swirling Jon Lord type organ leads the way superbly sliding to the side to allow the guitar through again as the guitar/keyboard improvisation is pursued.

This is where the calm water now becomes white water where you lift your paddles and let the white water take you on a ride. At approximately 7 minutes and 45 seconds in, an unexpected break happens out of time and it works. If this was intended then it is genius. If this was a mistake and left in on purpose then again, this is genius. I don't know who but someone famous once said the spaces in between notes are just as important. This interweaving of keyboards, guitars and drums improvisation that follows continues in a marathon of musicianship.

The final track 'Future History Part 2' is the odd track compared to the rest of the album. It is a happy song still uplifting that brings a funk to the tune. What appears as a brass section gives a 'Big Band' type of vibe. All in all an interesting and good way to end this compilation that leaves you with a smile.

I wasn't sure what to expect but I am very glad I bought it - this album has surpassed my expectations by miles. It pushed all my buttons, this is why I listen to music, it brought pure joy to me. Tim tickled his keys, Ben bends his strings, Dean taps his skin and top hat to a beautiful structured and improvised effect. I have a feeling this band had a blast creating this together. I intend to wear this CD out if that is possible. I would like to think this is a beginning of something special.

(By the way I avoid making any reference to Pink Floyd. The influence is there but Ambient Den are their own entity).

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to Drmick1971
• Report this review (#3211948)
• Buy AMBIENT DEN music online with PA partners
• Show all AMBIENT DEN MP3/Stream
• Go to AMBIENT DEN page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Ambient Den page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for AMBIENT DEN related discussions