Strangely Isolated Place

This sophomore release from Ulrich Schnauss displays the German producer/composer's ability to create ambient tapestries, replete with shimmering keyboard effects and lush chordal variety. But what makes this release unique is Schnauss's penchant for warm melodies and pop-influenced refrains. Here Schnauss forges his own voice, blending together the imagistic vistas of Brian Eno with pop structures and experimental techno grooves. The title track features a scintillating Theremin melody singing high above the keyboard accompaniment, while "Clear Day" is a paean to the UK ensemble My Bloody Valentine in its use of metallic textures and other quirky sound effects. The opening track, "Gone Forever," draws the listener in with pastoral keyboard arpeggios and a haunting female vocal. This music washes over the listener, and marks Schnauss as one of the more intriguing ambient artists to watch.