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Carbon Based Lifeforms - Derelicts (2017, Blood Music)


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https://www.blood-music.com/store-us/67-carbon
https://carbonbasedlifeforms.bandcamp.com/

 

"“Using a vast array of analog synthesis alongside sampled dishwashers, water pumps, escalators, and teething toys; the album comments on the most organic of life forces through its own constructed machines.

Recalling similar atmospheres as Brian Eno’s Apollo music, Aphex Twin’s early works, and Boards Of Canada – CBL is the obscure soundtrack to a longstanding search between the nature of Earth and extraterrestrial existence. Best enjoyed with a bottle of wine (or two) and a massive pair of headphones.

With the recent wave of synthwave and electronic-heavy scores permeating throughout horror films, such as It Follows, Beyond the Gates, Maniac, and the like, bands like Carbon Based Lifeforms reminds us of other emotions that permeate through the genre. There is just as much beauty, wonder, and majesty to be had in electronica as there is in horror."

 

Track list:
1) Accede
2) Derelicts
3) Clouds
4) Nattväsen
5) Equilibrium
6) Path of Least Resistance
7) 780 Days
8) ~42°
9) Rayleigh Scatterers
10) Dodecahedron
11) Loss Aversion
12) Everwave

 

 

Absolutely solid!

 

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1 hour ago, antic604 said:

Got it. Not impressed so far :(

i listened to it once and was impressed.

it's so musically dense and exquisitely produced, and probably needs some time before the melodies start to sink in properly. 

psybient seems to fall into a few categories of either drone-ing into nothingness, slowed down psytrance aka chillgressive or blends of ethnic tribal influences... Derelicts is none of that, it's simply refreshing like a glass of water, no sugar or additional flavourings needed.

i was a bit worried when it mentioned sampling dishwashers and the like but it has no abrasiveness whatsoever, it's pharmaceutical grade ethereal music with a tinge of melancholy. 

 

 

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48 minutes ago, gfp1 said:

psybient seems to falls into a few categories of either drone-ing into nothingness, slowed down psytrance aka chillgressive or blends of ethnic tribal influences... Derelicts is none of that, it's simply refreshing like a glass of water, no sugar or additional flavourings needed.

Well put.

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19 minutes ago, thanosp81 said:

You are getting harder and harder to please :P 

Not getting younger might have something to do with that :P

Anyway, listening though this I can't shake the feeling that I've heard all that somewhere already: the spoken samples have been either used by other artists or even by CBL guys themselves (at least the same source), their trademark sounds - bells, small acid lines, etc. - became predictable and the music itself somehow feels much more repetitive than their previous releases. Maybe it will grow on me, but I wasn't 'wow'-ed by any of the tracks so far. I'm not saying it's bad or anything, but it's not on the same level as Hydroponic Garden, World of Sleepers or Interloper.

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16 minutes ago, Richpa said:

It's kinda interesting to see CBL releasing music on the same platform/label with bands such as Emperor, SYL or Arcturus. They're in great company indeed. :)

I don't mind where they release it as long as the music is good. However, it would be nice to see them putting the same attention on the cover design as they are doing with their music. 

Unfortunately, all 4 CBL releases on that label fail short, too short tbh.

However, Nattväsen, wow, haunting. 

Anyone knows where the samples are from? The girl's voice sounds like 

 

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Source Facebook:

 

 

Quote

 

People are asking about the lyrics in "Nattväsen". It's written by Daniel and not sampled from any movie, and it goes like this:


Grown up girl:
Many years ago, when I was a little girl, I found myself lost in the forest. Alone.
I felt a strange warm energy. Something was coming closer.
It guided me deeper into the forest.
And down under the ground.

Girl: 
They were friendly creatures, not at all evil.
I followed then down underground.
This is my home now.

Old man: 
Well, I'm not sure what to believe about those stories.
But I can tell you for damn sure that the girl was nowhere to be found.
We searched every inch of that forest and found nothing

Girl:
They were friendly creatures, not at all evil.
I followed then down underground.
This is my home now.

 

 

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31 minutes ago, thanosp81 said:

Anyone knows where the samples are from? The girl's voice sounds like 

From their Facebook: People are asking about the lyrics in "Nattväsen". It's written by Daniel and not sampled from any movie.

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skipping through the album on youtube, three quarters of the album sounds as if it's the same pads all over again. no matter if you listen at minute 14, 34, 53 or 69: it all sounds exactly the same. those pads are present on earlier cbl albums but so far, i don't see the non-beatless tracks with interesting melodies. i guess i'll skip this one.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Sometimes haunting and surreal. Other times... well I'll save that for the review. Fans of CBL and the Ambient/Chill/Downtempo genre may want to check this out.

1. Accede is an ambient-influenced downtempo number. It starts off the journey atmospherically. Soundscapes drip like PSY drop rain and a gentle beat begins to take shape. The song grows catchier with the entrance of melodies, moving higher both energetically and euphorically. The simple approach, direction, and lack of any WOW ingredients IMO may prevent this song from being a favorite for more than a small percentage of listeners. It's a soothing, light, and harmless opening that opens the door to the grander work.  B+

2. Derelicts really moved and inspired me. I love the organic sounds combined with the beat, the ingenuity, creative usage of unconventional sounds, the sound/melody work, evolution, and direction. I could go on and on expressing how catchy, evocative, and unique I think this song is. But you'd be better to hear it for yourself. The track is ethereal and fantasy-esque like a fairytale for adults. Excellent work.  A

3. Clouds is the first ambient song here. It reminds me of little of the softer music in Mirror's Edge, the videogame (Soundtrack by Solar Fields) but not ripped off. The song feels fresh, inspirational, harmonious, and breezy. It has feeling and pulls the listener in quite easily. Very good!  B+ / A-

4. Nattväsen is ambient influenced with a beat (downtempo of sorts). It's melancholy, atmospheric, eerily catchy, and haunting, if a bit repetitive. Still a great track. It's rich, yet simple, beautiful yet sad, and very memorable. B+ / A-

5. Equilibrium is a simpler albeit pleasant and smooth downtempo number. The unique voice bits, as well as the GOA-esque synths (in downtempo like Goa in slow-motion) compliments. Good song!  B+

6. Path of Least Resistance certainly takes the path of least resistance. The song seems good to be played in the background or for meditation. Generally speaking, the song seems little more than nature sounds, atmosphere, and ambient notes. Some people are into this floating and peaceful, cloud-walking albeit more minimalistic approach. By being so soft in nature however, it comes across as almost too uncharacteristic and uneventful, and this is where I begin to lose interest with the album. That said, the track is placed as a gentle transition between two more characteristic numbers, so it varies things up.  B-

7. 780 Days begins with ambient, but with more feeling and direction, and soon takes off into downtempo beautifully. The picks up roughly halfway through, growing catchier, more uplifting, and engaging. It's beautiful, ethereal. I like my songs to go somewhere, not just float in pretty colorful puddles for 7 minutes, and this thankfully does exactly that.  A

8. ~42° is another magical number. Female voices briefly speak among the enchanting backdrop that can be described as an evocative fairytale. Gentle and yet emotionally riveting, the entire number is AMBIENT and captivating from start to finish. For ambient, I much prefer this direction with more memorable arrangement and ingredients over softer, almost too-light numbers, e.g., Path of Least Resistance. This song's a magical treat.  A

9. Rayleigh Scatterers is slow and begins very nicely via melody/sound arrangement. There's a cloud-walking transition in the middle act that allows a resurgence of the returning (welcome) sound with some growth and development. It's very nice and a less grande song around even the grander softer tracks.  A-

10. Dodecahedron enjoys a warm, ambient-esque opening before lifting off into another downtempo/Chill-Out gem. The song is accompanied with a catchy beat and beautiful sound/melody work, e.g., arrangement. The same goes for many songs on the album. Virtually all elements of the song are great. I love the uplifting sound and of the overall album, and CGL in by and large, making vibrationally raising music, influencing our state of mind, inspiring our thoughts. The ambient adds to the driving melodies that are again, full of beauty, inspiration, and energy.  A-

11. Loss Aversion is captivating. The ambient, sound/melody design.. the atmosphere, buildup and female hymns is gorgeous, creating a heavenly body and climax of ethereal rhythm that sound that nearly overwhelms the senses with heart and soul. This is one of those tracks that redirects my attention from whatever I'm doing upon hearing it. I feel completely still and at peace and surrender, as if I'm melting into the music. Despite it's fairly short length at five minutes and thirteen seconds, I'd rather artist(s) know when to end a song rather than overstay its welcome. This is the last characteristic super song on Derelicts and it's a diamond.  A

12. Everwave took time to grow on me, but I've come to like it. For me the album has all but ended, and now we are left to enjoy this epic 14+ minute aversion of warm albeit ambient bliss and serenity. It's a pleasant song to have on in the background, to meditate or close your eyes to. Its placement seems most appropriate here too as the energy comes down and settles out into a straight line, so to speak. This would have been a challenge to sit through earlier in the album as it nearly puts me to sleep (in a good way) and that may have been my challenge with Path of Least Resistance which seemed to hold me down in quiet clouds after everything previous to juiced my positive outlook, energy, and imagination. Here  the essence of the album comes home, to its place in eternity some call Heaven, of permanence.. that being [Heaven] outside the Universe considering the Universe is a projection of the collective "split" mind according to physicists and a growing number of spiritualists considering nothing in the Universe (or our bodies, planets, etc.) is preeminent and "consciousness creates reality".  B+ / A-

CONCLUSION

Derelicts [the album] is magical and wondrous. Parts of it sound like a powerful fairytale, and showcases some of my favorite work by CGL to date. It is a bit gentler at times however when compared to their previous albums. Sometimes this is for the best. Other times though not often, a less than intoxicating ambient track will arrive before the album picks up and becomes more engaging again. This was most noticeable to me in the middle act on first listens, and the reason I find CBL albums like World of Sleepers, Hydroponic Garden, and Interloper easier to listen to straight through. That said, there is greatness in the middle third and the last third, with exception to Everwave that did little to stir my interest, iI found strong. Albums this enchanting we rarely seem to get now days, imaginative worlds oozing with dimension and beauty. Overall and few weaknesses aside, this is one of the best albums I've heard so far in 2017.

A-

Order/Buy

https://www.blood-music.com/store-us/67-carbon
https://carbonbasedlifeforms.bandcamp.com/

FULL ALBUM STREAM

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I really like this album, it is good old' CBL... Nothing groundbreaking, but very solid meditative stuff! And I love the fact that they have specified (at least on the vinyl version) the instruments used for each track... good for the nerd factor! :D

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On 11/4/2017 at 12:58 AM, Jon Cocco said:

Sometimes haunting and surreal. Other times... well I'll save that for the review. Fans of CBL and the Ambient/Chill/Downtempo genre may want to check this out.

1. Accede is an ambient-influenced downtempo number. It starts off the journey atmospherically. Soundscapes drip like PSY drop rain and a gentle beat begins to take shape. The song grows catchier with the entrance of melodies, moving higher both energetically and euphorically. The simple approach, direction, and lack of any WOW ingredients IMO may prevent this song from being a favorite for more than a small percentage of listeners. It's a soothing, light, and harmless opening that opens the door to the grander work.  B+

2. Derelicts really moved and inspired me. I love the organic sounds combined with the beat, the ingenuity, creative usage of unconventional sounds, the sound/melody work, evolution, and direction. I could go on and on expressing how catchy, evocative, and unique I think this song is. But you'd be better to hear it for yourself. The track is ethereal and fantasy-esque like a fairytale for adults. Excellent work.  A

3. Clouds is the first ambient song here. It reminds me of little of the softer music in Mirror's Edge, the videogame (Soundtrack by Solar Fields) but not ripped off. The song feels fresh, inspirational, harmonious, and breezy. It has feeling and pulls the listener in quite easily. Very good!  B+ / A-

4. Nattväsen is ambient influenced with a beat (downtempo of sorts). It's melancholy, atmospheric, eerily catchy, and haunting, if a bit repetitive. Still a great track. It's rich, yet simple, beautiful yet sad, and very memorable. B+ / A-

5. Equilibrium is a simpler albeit pleasant and smooth downtempo number. The unique voice bits, as well as the GOA-esque synths (in downtempo like Goa in slow-motion) compliments. Good song!  B+

6. Path of Least Resistance certainly takes the path of least resistance. The song seems good to be played in the background or for meditation. Generally speaking, the song seems little more than nature sounds, atmosphere, and ambient notes. Some people are into this floating and peaceful, cloud-walking albeit more minimalistic approach. By being so soft in nature however, it comes across as almost too uncharacteristic and uneventful, and this is where I begin to lose interest with the album. That said, the track is placed as a gentle transition between two more characteristic numbers, so it varies things up.  B-

7. 780 Days begins with ambient, but with more feeling and direction, and soon takes off into downtempo beautifully. The picks up roughly halfway through, growing catchier, more uplifting, and engaging. It's beautiful, ethereal. I like my songs to go somewhere, not just float in pretty colorful puddles for 7 minutes, and this thankfully does exactly that.  A

8. ~42° is another magical number. Female voices briefly speak among the enchanting backdrop that can be described as an evocative fairytale. Gentle and yet emotionally riveting, the entire number is AMBIENT and captivating from start to finish. For ambient, I much prefer this direction with more memorable arrangement and ingredients over softer, almost too-light numbers, e.g., Path of Least Resistance. This song's a magical treat.  A

9. Rayleigh Scatterers is slow and begins very nicely via melody/sound arrangement. There's a cloud-walking transition in the middle act that allows a resurgence of the returning (welcome) sound with some growth and development. It's very nice and a less grande song around even the grander softer tracks.  A-

10. Dodecahedron enjoys a warm, ambient-esque opening before lifting off into another downtempo/Chill-Out gem. The song is accompanied with a catchy beat and beautiful sound/melody work, e.g., arrangement. The same goes for many songs on the album. Virtually all elements of the song are great. I love the uplifting sound and of the overall album, and CGL in by and large, making vibrationally raising music, influencing our state of mind, inspiring our thoughts. The ambient adds to the driving melodies that are again, full of beauty, inspiration, and energy.  A-

11. Loss Aversion is captivating. The ambient, sound/melody design.. the atmosphere, buildup and female hymns is gorgeous, creating a heavenly body and climax of ethereal rhythm that sound that nearly overwhelms the senses with heart and soul. This is one of those tracks that redirects my attention from whatever I'm doing upon hearing it. I feel completely still and at peace and surrender, as if I'm melting into the music. Despite it's fairly short length at five minutes and thirteen seconds, I'd rather artist(s) know when to end a song rather than overstay its welcome. This is the last characteristic super song on Derelicts and it's a diamond.  A

12. Everwave took time to grow on me, but I've come to like it. For me the album has all but ended, and now we are left to enjoy this epic 14+ minute aversion of warm albeit ambient bliss and serenity. It's a pleasant song to have on in the background, to meditate or close your eyes to. Its placement seems most appropriate here too as the energy comes down and settles out into a straight line, so to speak. This would have been a challenge to sit through earlier in the album as it nearly puts me to sleep (in a good way) and that may have been my challenge with Path of Least Resistance which seemed to hold me down in quiet clouds after everything previous to juiced my positive outlook, energy, and imagination. Here  the essence of the album comes home, to its place in eternity some call Heaven, of permanence.. that being [Heaven] outside the Universe considering the Universe is a projection of the collective "split" mind according to physicists and a growing number of spiritualists considering nothing in the Universe (or our bodies, planets, etc.) is preeminent and "consciousness creates reality".  B+ / A-

CONCLUSION

Derelicts [the album] is magical and wondrous. Parts of it sound like a powerful fairytale, and showcases some of my favorite work by CGL to date. It is a bit gentler at times however when compared to their previous albums. Sometimes this is for the best. Other times though not often, a less than intoxicating ambient track will arrive before the album picks up and becomes more engaging again. This was most noticeable to me in the middle act on first listens, and the reason I find CBL albums like World of Sleepers, Hydroponic Garden, and Interloper easier to listen to straight through. That said, there is greatness in the middle third and the last third, with exception to Everwave that did little to stir my interest, iI found strong. Albums this enchanting we rarely seem to get now days, imaginative worlds oozing with dimension and beauty. Overall and few weaknesses aside, this is one of the best albums I've heard so far in 2017.

A-

Order/Buy

https://www.blood-music.com/store-us/67-carbon
https://carbonbasedlifeforms.bandcamp.com/

FULL ALBUM STREAM

 

Did you mean to post this in the review section Jon? If not please re-post it there as well :P;)

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