HUMAN INTERFACE

Patrick Moraz' solo career has most often been a solo career in the fullest sense of the word, meaning that Patrick does everything himself with no involvement by other musicians. Human Interface is a case in point: composed, arranged, performed, and produced by Moraz.

The best track on this album is the opening Light Elements which reminds me of Vangelis' best works. Next up is another good piece called Beyond Binary which sounds a bit like a cross between Keith Emerson and Vangelis. The third track Cin-A-Maah is also a good one, this time prompting comparisons with Geoff Downes' excellent solo debut album The Light Programme.

Unfortunately, after this the album goes awry. The rest of Human Interface is not as good as the first three tracks. Stormtroops On Loops is nothing but an annoying sound collage but thankfully it is short. Modular Symphony (First Movement) is in the style of Classical music while Goto Ophioplomal returns to electronic territory again. The 10 minute plus Kyushu reminds of Vangelis' China but is overly long and soon becomes tedious. The final tracks are in more New Age style and also feel a bit too long and monotonous.

There are some good moments on Human Interface, predominantly in the beginning of the album, but overall it does not hold up that well. Still, many of Moraz' solo albums are worse!