Metallic Spheres: Deluxe [Deluxe Edition, Import]

 

 

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David Gilmour, Pink Floyd's master guitarist, one of the great innovators of modern rock music, has finally teamed up with Alex Paterson, perhaps the most technically skilled and powerfully unique forces in all of electronica. This "hook up" was facilitated by long-time Orb collaborator, Youth, aka Martin Glover. In many ways one wonders why this hasn't happened already, as it is probably one of the most natural musical marriages imaginable. Paterson himself recently said that it was almost inevitable as The Orb and Gilmour ( Pink Floyd ) "orbited many of the same Planets."

There is an entire body of ambient music that the Post-Waters Floyd produced, sitting "in the can", so to speak, unreleased. Some of the "Barn Jams" on the 4 disk version of "David Gilmour - Live in Gdansk" also take on a very ambient flavour and show quite nicely just how adept Gilmour is at that particular genre as well. The "Division Bell" tour also featured hours of really wonderful ambient music that was played for the audience before the shows began. Add this all up and OF COURSE David Gilmour is a natural to work in this medium. Always one for sniffing out the latest and the most interesting, Gilmour is STILL right out there on the cutting edge and producing really fine, high quality music.

The guitarist was invited by Youth to jam in his studio, after they had worked on a re-mix project covering Graham Nash's "Chicago". The work was so striking that The Orb's main "ever growing pulsating brain" Alex Paterson, was then called to join in. A musical marriage made in heaven ensuded. To have been the proverbial fly on the that studio wall!

Paterson has acknowledged, both indirectly and often quite directly, the influence of Pink Floyd in his own work. In many ways The Orb is an 'alternate universe' Pink Floyd. Enormously imaginative and highly experimental music in intensely psychoactive live shows, complete with spheres being projected on, extraordinary lighting, stunning sound production and a total, mind-blowing experience echo the Pink Floyd Live experience powerfully. There are even visual references to Floyd right from the beginning - The Orb's first album "Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld" features the infamous Battersea Power Station, the iconic image that was the cover of Floyd's 1977 album "Animals". And that same image has appeared in Orb album artwork SEVERAL times since, the most obvious being the cover of "Live 93" where the "Animals" artwork was lampooned with great affection. And more recently it appeared again in the artwork for "The Dream".

"Metallic Spheres" is comprised of only two long pieces, one "metallic" and one "spherical", although in effect it's all just one long suite, 'Atom Heart Mother' style. Paterson's complex, organic and monster-beat electronica is wedded to Gilmour's fluid, resonant and evocative guitar and lap steel work. Indeed, the album's beginning gives Gilmour a chance to make sure the listener knows he's there and gives a wonderful little nod to his psychedelic past in the form of very "Saucerful of Secrets" effects to establish his 'lineage'. As things progess, they get decidedly "Orbier" and Gilmour's guitars take on a personality never heard before. At first it's quite familiar then it's off to Terra Incognita and proceedings get very "out-there".

Eventually there are parts that feature vocals from Gilmour, which is a nice plus. But even the vocals, from the "Chicago" remix, like a lot of Gilmour's guitars on this album, take on a timbre and personality that are intriguingly new. There is an exceptionally beautiful section about halfway through that starts with some really nice acoustic guitar from Gilmour. Having made his mark in music with his immediately recognizable electric guitar style, it is has been great of late to hear his return to some very find acoustic work. This section then nicely morphs into a very golden, pastoral, Indian flavoured panorama lit up with great beams of Stratocaster magic - the light filled centre of the album. Paterson enhances it all with his trademark vocal samples and ambient treatments. This timeless section finally nods to the return of the main them which then moves inevitably to the album's gigantic finish.

Paterson shines on this quite beautifully as well. His signature electronics, sound treatments and vocal samples breath a new life, subduing themselves subtly to the overal musical picture. His electronics are much less ornate than before and they take on a very solid, strikingly DEEP bottom. And yet there are times when the good Dr. steps very up front and lends his mastery to the monumental sonic vista being created. It is to the credit of both artists that neither dominates or outdoes. Both of them, with Youth and Tim Bran, have created a massive work of vast proportions and unbelievably broad sonic range. "Metallic Spheres" offer up a beautiful range of different musical atmospheres and flavours and all the while holding it down for a very satisfying total experience. This album, as one might well guess, is epic in scope, rich in texture and invention, and displays great artistic integrity in ensuring that the music comes absolutely FIRST. The music might be gigantic, but the egos are not.

Not all fans of The Orb and David Gilmour, in their respective, individual camps, will like this recording, I think. If you're really into Progressive Rock and count Floyd as a major force, appreciating Gilmour's skills as a "rock" guitarist, which he is exceptionally good at, you may not be so thrilled by "Metallic Spheres". Especially if electronically based music isn't your forte. You're not going to hear massive, earth-shaking solos like "Sorrow" or "Comfortably Numb". Similarly, if you're a "rock is dead" electronic-ista and think that any former Prog Rock giant's presence on an Orb album is a regrettable compromise, that guitars themselves are an anathema, you may also not entirely groove on this one. But for fans of both forms of expression, this album is a beautifully natural blend of traditions and styles.

It is interesting to bear in mind though that Paterson and crew have NO issues with such collaboration. Remember 1994's "FFWD", the Orb album done in partnership with Robert Fripp ( King Crimson ) and the fact that almost every Orb album from the beginning has collaborative tracks done with Steve Hillage ( Gong & The Steve Hillage Band ), both major "prog" guitar players in their own rights. Paterson also guests frequently on Hillage & Giraudy's 2-decade spanning electronica project, System 7.

"Metallic Spheres" has also been released on the Deluxe edition, the second disc of which has a 360 degree 3D sound mix (3D60 ) gauranteed to give a total wrap-around auditory, 3 dimensional picture WITHOUT the need for special equipment - just like the old Pink Floyd shows!

Given the past work of both artists, The Orb ( read, Alex Paterson primarily ) and David Gilmour, this new work is a wonderful precedent. Perhaps the reception of this album will stimulate the release of Pink Floyd's ambient projects, something that Nick Mason has for several years wanted to see the light of day. The incredibly technical and undeniably musical skills of both The Orb and David Gilmour have seamlessly wedded to form a seriously and joyously impressive piece of work. Hardcore fans of The Orb and David Gilmour will be a little suprised by the new ground trodden here for this is a whole lot more than comfortably numb riffs over little fluffy clouds! Both artists on "Metallic Spheres" prove, resoundingly that they both have OCEANS of creativity left to offer up! LOVE this!

If you liked pink floyds "Dark side of the moon" and "The Wall", and also enjoy ambient electonic music you will love this album. Not a lot of Vocals, Just David Gilmores clean Guitar with a smooth electonic background. Very relaxing and enjoyable. I have listened to this album many times so far and have not tired of it. (Don't worry, no techno beat to this album at all)

To be honest, the progressive approach does have its high points however, as the album states: Featuring David Gilmour, the album is not a collaboration but an orbital album influenced by some of Gilmour's lighter elements that he brought to the table. Still a good listen just not as engaging as I expected it be.

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3.0 out of 5 stars The Orb outshined by David Gilmour
I bought this cd on the strength of David Gilmour. As a Pink Floyd afficianado I simply had to give it a listen. Read more

Published 14 months ago by David T. Mathias

4.0 out of 5 stars Best of both worlds!
While not strictly Pink Floyd nor the Orb, this album is a joy to listen. Gilmour and Pink Floyd fans will recognize David's guitar signature all over the places. Read more

Published 17 months ago by daniel emond

1.0 out of 5 stars Very disappointing CD
I love practically everything created by Pink Floyd and especially by David Gilmour, but this is probably worst Gilmour's project. Too bad. Read more

Published 18 months ago by Greg

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