Search - Erik Wollo :: Elevations

Lucky 13: Wollo's further explorations of ambient space

ShriDurga | 06/28/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Over the past decade Norwegian composer/producer Erik Wollo has specialized in guitar-based ambient music, releasing a dozen introspective albums that work equally well as unobtrusive background music, or for the more adventurous as the subject of devoted listening. His newest release, Elevations, is a further exploration of this aural landscape, 12 original compositions organized around a central theme developed over three tracks.



The recurrent motif is the Odyssey, presented in three incarnations: Blue, Red and Green. Each of the compositions starts with a subdued wash of synthesizer, to which are added keyboard fills, sound effects, and rhythm, before the statement of a simple melody, played in Blue and Green on the synthesizer, and in Red on the guitar. Once the melody ends, the effects drop out one by one until the compositions end where they began.



Spaced evenly throughout the cd, the Odesseys are interspersed with mostly quieter songs following the same pattern, a kind of aural mountainscape, with gentle slopes on either side of a towering peak.



Elevations is a complete one-man show, with Wollo playing guitars, synthesizers, percussion, as well as programming and producing. Those who appreciate the work Jon Jenkins, Patrick O'Hearn, or Steve Roach will find much to enjoy in Erik Wollo's spacious sound.



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