WARM WINTER (E)

Memories Of Machines is a collaboration between Nosound mastermind Giancarlo Erra and No-Man vocalist Tim Bowness. The first time they started the idea of doing something together dates from 2005 and in late 2010 the ideas were finally brought to life. Contributions via the internet or in the studio came from members of Nosound and the likes of Peter Hammill (Van Der Graaf Generator), Robert Fripp (King Crimson), Colin Edwin, Steven Wilson (both Porcupine Tree), Julianne Regan (All About Eve), Jim Matheos (OSI, Fates Warning) and Ricard Huxflux Nettermalm (Paatos). This debut album was mixed by Steven Wilson so any art rock fan who's familiar with the music of Nosound and No-Man knows exactly what this album is all about: gorgeous melodies, sensual vocals and an intimate atmosphere. After an orchestral overture with mainly keyboards you'll hear some distant guitar and Bowness’ vocals and the first real song in the atmosphere of No-Man interpreting Nights In White Satin by The Moody Blues and using the harmonies from The Eagles. Tough subtle, both drumming and bass playing are really tasteful and refined. The next track has a bit of the relaxed atmosphere of Pink Floyd although the cello makes the difference. The title track could have been a ballad on one of the albums by China Crisis: slow relaxed and dreamy, but foremost beautiful. The guitar solo is excellent and fits well within the confinements of this type of music. Lucky Me, Lucky You is a nice atmospheric pop song with somewhat dreary, echoing orchestrations giving it a bit of chill out feeling. Again the guitar solo is extremely tasteful and right to the point, a very pleasant ‘extra’ dimension. The dreaming, floating, indulging yourself in these heavenly sounds, continues in Change Me Once Again, followed by yet another great track Something In Our Lives. The unexpected opening by piano is the basis of the melody and the subtle orchestrations make this track almost new age music. As in the previous track there’s delightful guitar playing, this time by Jim Matheos among others. Lost And Found In A Digital World contains modern psychedelic music with a muffled trumpet sound. Schoolyard Ghosts features both clean, echoing and sliding guitars. In the second half of the song you'll hear nice keyboard playing, some subtle drumming and a saxophone. If Pink Floyd would have gone on with Syd Barrett and Syd would not have gone ‘astray’, this might be how they could have sounded. Again the cello, played by Marianne de Chastelaine, contributes to the melancholy in this final track called At The Centre Of It All.

Art rock and prog fans who like Nosound and/or No-Man can order this album without any hesitation. If you like dreamy music with a psychedelic touch, this album must be in your collection. Not an abundance of variation but if you like this kind of music it’s sheer joy in spite of the melancholy: if every winter could be as nice and ‘warm’ as this one, I’d like to have more of those!