Fennesz
Black Sea
Rating: 3.5
Label: Touch
What’s most evident in the electro-minimalist movement is that few artists can fully grasp its challenges; many copycats are savvy enough to manipulate instruments and synthesizers into colorful spiritual collages, though whittling these collages into something meaningful and coherent is still out of their reach. It took four years for solo artist Christian Fennesz to deliver his much-anticipated follow-up to Venice and fortunately, it was well worth the wait. Black Sea is the guitarist/keyboardist’s fourth under Touch records, and while it is hardly a deviation from his oeuvre, when an artist this indebted to his unique craft can continue to create music so compelling, Black Sea is a welcome addition.
Once again, Fennesz has proved that he has both hands firmly gripped on the controls. His pieces continue to earn the term “composition,” a celebratory feat considering the nearly utter absence of melodies, modes and scales. As always, the work is indebted to textures and tones, and Black Sea bears no lack of either. “The Colour of Three” is an aura of fuzzy synths mimicking chainsaws and drills, while the buzzing drones of “Glide” resemble a distorted rocket ship blastoff. “Saffron Revolution” wraps up the album on an upbeat note. It’s maelstrom of bit guitar licks precipitate in the midst of a scraping metallic storm. This signature sound, as in previous works, is an inversion of Aphex Twin’s more abrasive side captured under Eno-esque soundscapes.
One of Fennesz’s trademarks is his ear for manipulating guitars to resemble anything but instruments. In effect, they transform into atmospherics themselves, and are often the cornerstones bracing a song’s lush background. Thus, “Grey Scale” is a surprising guitar-dominated arrangement. The mellow tones of his nylon guitar complement the somber finger-picked tale and, if anything, prove that he hasn’t forgotten the essentials of traditional music.
With few discernible melodies, Black Sea still speaks profoundly. This gem of shimmering ambiance is a celebration of its inspirational forefathers. It isn’t Fennesz’s milestone album, but it should easily attract new fans while reassuring veterans yet again that his creativity is here to stay.
by Jory Spadea
