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Rhys Fulber has been at the forefront of the industrial music
scene for decades with his band Frontline Assembly. Then in
the nineties, Fulber made forays into more accessible and ambient
music with his Frontline side project Delirium. That little
project made some amazing atmospheric music with some sweet female
vocals that belied everything that Fulber had previously had his hands
on. Now, the electro-master has stepped out on his own and made a
definitive mark in low-beat pop with his latest project Conjure
One. For Conjure One, Fulber has adopted the credo of techno giants
like Massive Attack and The Chemical Brothers by writing
and producing the music and calling in a revolving cast of vocalists
to complete the songs. The result is a very enjoyable trip through
electro-trance landscapes that leaves the listener relaxed and with
a delightful sense of wonder.
Each song on Extraordinary Ways has its own unique personality,
both in form and instrumentation, as well as in vocalist choice and
style. A fine example of this trend towards individualism is the delicate
instrument that I would fancy as being shamisen on "Face The
Music", which is featured lightly and then lost behind a solid
drumbeat and heavy strings. The vocalist on this track, Tiff Lacey,
has a haunting voice not unlike Beth Orton, that adds the perfect
amount of depth and beauty to an otherwise beautiful track. The introductory
Indian vibe of "I Believe" is in no way indicative of the
quirky techno-pop that is to follow, as Rhys Fulber takes the vocal
chores on himself. He delivers a brilliant performance that would
make Gary Numan wish he was once again back in 1984… this
track reminds me sonically of an updated "Video Killed The Radio
Star", but minus the poppy nonsense, replacing it instead with
a dense strata of guitars and keyboards that build to a startlingly
beautiful crescendo. The title track features some nice analog keyboards
(the best I've heard this year), interesting rhythms, and some of
the finest vocal melodies I've been exposed to in months. This vocalist,
known only as Jane, has a beautiful depth and candor to her
voice that is very refreshing, toeing the line between Bjork's
gruff growl and Dido's smooth contralto.
Extraordinary Ways is fine, fine music for the relaxation
set, people. If you are a fan of Sarah McLachlan's less poppy
numbers, when she swoons with emotion and musical creativity, then
Conjure One will be right up your alley. The songs are fluid and smooth,
never grating or stepping into disturbing territory. Low beat pop
music filled with sensual keyboards and diggable beats… Enigma
for the next generation? I wholeheartedly endorse this record!
-Embo Blake
Track Listing:
1. Endless Dream
2. Face The Music
3. Pilgrimage
4. One Word
5. I Believe
6. Beyond Being
7. Extraordinary Way
8. Dying Light
9. Forever Lost
10. Into The Escape
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