“Music for *Real* Airports…” ?? Reading the liner notes, I guess another proposed title for this album could have been “*Real * Music for Airports” :
“…a contemporary reply to Brian Eno’s work from the 70s.“
“…a more accurate update to Eno’s work, and a to a degree, a riposte.”
“…Some members of The Black Dog were disappointed by Eno’s treatment of the subject in 1978 and have been considering how to produce a more meaningful response ever since.”
Wow…The Black Dog re-defining and upgrading the classic album that practically defined the ambient music genre???
Brian Eno’s Music for Airports (the first of his “ambient music” series) defined a completely new musical context by creating a generative set of endlessly varying musical chords, intended to be non-intrusive, ‘listenable’ and ‘ignorable’ at the same time. Music that could not be reproduced in exactly the same way, music one could not hum along to, because it had no rhythm and lacked any ‘memorable’ melody.
This was not only a record, it was a statement and a new concept.
“Music for Real Airports” is none of that. To me, the quotes above seem quite an arrogant statement. In fact, they raised the expectations for this album …well, way beyond reach.
“Music for Real Airports” does not redefine music. The Black Dog do not invent any new musical concept unheard before.
But, having said that, they do deliver a mighty fine-sounding and adventurous album, presenting a colourful palette of electronic music.
Some tracks drone-based and mixed with all kinds of airport/airplane related sounds, are alternated with some heavy thumping rhythm tracks (extremely non-ambient in that respect), as loud and ‘intrusive’ as any dance track should be.
It’s a fine album, accessible and well-balanced. So: Don’t expect a musical revolution, just enjoy your flight…
RELEASE DATE : 10/05/2010 on Soma Records
More information and previews can be found on http://www.musicforrealairports.com
built from the inside out this album is not meant to be heard as some sonic filler as one awaits departure but more so as complete whole. as if one resided in the environs where origins of destination and arrival thrive. being neutral on all surrounding events, they can be used as inspirational or not. more a summation of the sounds on a constantly moving mass and those variants, seeming chaotic
showing possible patterns. a challenge yes, but paced to current, contemporary lifestyles. the sound of us in action.
Sleep Deprivation 1 from Black Dog, it sounds like Biosphere ‘sbeen hospitalized on a Jamaican intensive care. All wired up for an intravenous bassline;)