YEARSENDING

Yearsending is Phrozenlight's 2007 Christmas album. Does it sound like Christmas? Nope, but it is way better than the the earlier Phrozenlight releases, though I had to skip over about 50 to reach Yearsending. The boring drones from the previous releases are gone, and synthesized melodies and sequencers have been added. "X-Mas 2007" is the only track on this album that is not worth listening to - this is the only track that follows the constant boring drone and buzz path that Phrozenlight's earlier work consisted of, and I'm tired of it by now.

"Almost Twelve O' Clock" sounds almost like Tangerine Dream's Phaedra era, but obviously it isn't anywhere near that level of awesome. From the buzzing and droning, a muddy bass-like melody propels the tracks through multiple progressions from behind a mid-paced sequenced beat. This is a breath of fresh air in the Phrozenlight catalog.

"Happy New Year" is another dronescape, and it fades in and out of harmonic and slightly dissonant moments, always backed by a optimistic melody that the drone/buzz both pulls away from and conforms to. The track is very simple, but oddly engaging for its length.

The bonus track, "Annieonacid", is a short and fast-paced sequencer track with some experimental satellite sounds in the background. It's not really anything special, but I guess it's an okay way to end the album. It's still better than Phrozenlight's earlier stuff.

I considered quitting my Phrozenlight reviewing from lack of good music, but this album has rekindled my interest slightly. I'd like to say this album is like a lesser Tangerine Dream, with a touch of Christmas nonsense that really doesn't add or subtract anything. Though the first track was a bore, the last few tracks were enjoyable. I'd recommend it, and it's free.