Never heard of darkwave or dark ambient music? You're not alone. Some might call it brilliant background music for a heady documentary. Others would merely dismiss it as unhappy, boring, repetitive, electronically driven mood music. Neither of these descriptions is entirely accurate, because this particular style amply rewards those with patience and a mind open to contemplation.
With layer after layer of well-crafted keyboard sounds and haunting synth trickery swirling in the mix, Light from Many Lamps earns Brett Smith his reputation as the "darkwave master." Although these songs are all largely very similar in both sound and laid-back style, careful listeners will hear the various distinct shades and be taken on a highly artistic and spiritually relevant journey. The moody, minimalistic nature of these instrumental wonders conjures images of Christ's incredible suffering, the weighty significance of faith, the majesty of the created order, and the depths of God's very own mysterious yet grand essence. Song titles like, "At Midnight I Arise to Give Thanks to Thee" summarize the music's style well by juxtaposing the sound and feeling of a deep faith (Give Thanks) with the harsh reality of living it out in a bleak world (Midnight). If Vincent Price ever made a Christmas album, this would be it: spooky and chilling, but deeply reverential.
Music reviewers are supposed to be experts on all musical forms, but here's one I've missed until now. As an introduction to this particular form, however, Caul is breathtaking and excites the imagination.
4 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2000Reviewed by Shari LloydLike a master craftsman, the Caul weaves hauntingly melancholy and introspective melodies with dark moody textures which blend together perfectly with some eastern influences into a magnificent symphony of sounds. Using a wonderful blend of synth and natural instruments which combine to draw the listener into the Caul's world. This world being filled with a dark ambient meditative music. Don't…Opus 2000Reviewed by Jason MoreheadAs I'm writing this review, I'm listening to the CD on my TV. You see, I'm in the process of moving, so my Sony Playstation is doing double-duty as a CD player. (Ain't modern technology grand?) However, as Light From Many Lamps plays behind me, it's playing tricks with my mind. I have to keep reminding myself that there's not some Andrei Tarkovsky film playing in the background. I have to remind…Similar sounding releases
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