Search - Brain Laughter 2 :: Not Far From a Distant Sun

Not Far from a Distant Sun is a disappointing, but still listenable follow-up to Brain Laughter's impressive debut, In the Land of Power. Armed with new synthesizers and samplers, they go for a more symphonic approach with overwrought melodies and over-ripe arrangements. While In the Land of Power had an austerity born of its desert inspirations, Distant Sun has orchestral aspirations that probably sounded great in the studio, but which are ultimately revealed to be what they are: canned, portentous orchestral imitations. When they leave those motifs behind, Brain Laughter create some compelling music, notably the drama of spare tribal drums on the slow crescendo of "Voices from the Past" and the chilly scenes of "Winter Nights." Synthesist Steve Roach also contributes to a few tracks, including the techno-tribal turn of "The Hunt," on which he plays didgeridoo. The guttural texture of this earth-born instrument only exacerbates the distance Brain Laughter has put between themselves and their source. --John Diliberto