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Dedicated fans of Fripp & Eno will no doubt be looking for similarities between the duo's two previous and profoundly influential releases No Pussyfooting (1973) plus Evening Star (1975) and The Equatorial Stars (48:00) - their 20 years later follow-up. The biggest difference in this iteration is economical. On earlier productions, such as The Heavenly Music Corporation, Swastika Girls and An Index of Metals, Fripp & Eno used texture and melody to realize sprawling sidelong compositions. This later effort is more conservative with respect to track length. Containing seven under ten minute pieces The Equatorial Stars utilizes the same basic concept perfected on previous works (emotionally charged electric guitar liquid lead lines snaking over rolling ambient washes and loops), but in the bare minimum of time. The album presents music that is less composition than artifact of the infinite permutations associated with this method of design. Although high-concept in its origins The Equatorial Stars is saved from exceeding the grasp of its audience by the warm, consonant and utterly engaging instrumental narrative produced by guitarist Robert Fripp. A wonderful example of inward turning slow-music its greatest success may be in revealing the human side of these two iconic figures of the Ambient Music genre.
- Chuck van Zyl/STAR'S END 19 May 2005 |
