Member:
I.M. Weasel
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by I.M. Weasel)
Date:
2/7/2005
Format:
CD (Album)
The second CD from Rom Imoff's Chemistry is self-described as "A relaxing mix of guitars, piano, bass, synthesizers, hand percussion, and sounds of nature". To put it bluntly, Imoff does not disappoint on his promise. Without ever sounding really too tender and soft, Imoff's Wings of Sound takes you on a joyful musical journey. However, this may be the only criticism I can levy at the album--perhaps too much joy and wonderment, and not enough other stuff to balance it out--but don't get me wrong, that other "stuff" is present.
"Paradise" starts out much like a peaceful stroll through a forest, with an acoustic guitar playing the main melody, then later a sustained guitar solo (where I imagine Imoff is showing off the use of the ebow, and its put to good use!). This may be the strongest track of the entire album. "Moonlight Serenade" begins with the chimes of midnight, and the song of nightingales--a subtle, yet effective use of blending the natural world with his music.
Another standout is "Dance of the Whales", where again he blends the sound of nature (running water) with whale-like soundscapes to create a refreshingly mysterious and obscure sound track. The song doesn't really start to kick in until the African percussion and sustained guitar come in. Here you really do get the feeling of perhaps a pod of whales migrating, and playing in the ocean. In fact every song title on Wings of Sound aptly describes the musical mood created.
The closer "Forest Lullaby" is almost melancholic, with a melody of just a few piano notes, as well as acoustic guitar and the sounds of the forest back-dropped against a keyboard soundscape.
While some might be quick to pin the "new age" label on music like this, Imoff does a lot more than just give you pretty sounding musical backdrops. At times, he really does take you on the musical journeys suggested in his song titles.
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