Some tracks such as "Tangerine II" and "Even Doges In The Wild" display a few more remix touches than others (such as the underlying synth arpeggios, and additional beats) but it's never to the point of distraction. Again, the goal seems to be to tightly weave everything together into a more unified sound world. The record swells and glides, until finally it closes with a stunning and extended reworking of "Want" featuring the vocals of Lisa Germano.
The problem with recommending this album is that, at least for me, it negates the need for the previous album from which it draws its genesis. Personally, now that I've heard this release, this is much more what I would have liked for RockPaperScissors to have been.
BellCurve is a grand and lushly cohesive record. You can gladly get lost in it for days. Before, you were asked to alternate between varying different styles and moods, and it was all gratifyingly done. But at times it could feel like a film festival of shorts when all you really wanted was to just sit down and watch a single movie. BellCurve handily fills that bill.
But recommend it I must. For those who remember Brook's work from the 80s, as well as his collaborations with Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, this will be a very welcome release indeed. If you don't already have RockPaperScissors, I would easily recommend this record first (and then you're free to decide on your own if the other is still needed). If you already have the previous album, this is still magnificent and compelling enough to merit your attention.
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
Wow, completely taken off-guard by this one. Haven't heard a word prior to this. Looks like the only place to buy a physical CD is Barnes & Noble . . . very strange. It's that or mp3s at Amazon, and I'd really rather have a CD.
This one sounds fantastic - a huge improvement over its source material in RockPaperScissors which, sadly, I found to be a letdown.