Spacecraft - "Hummel Live"
(Lektronic Soundscapes 1998, LS-1012)
Spacecraft - "Hummel Live"
(Lektronic Soundscapes 1998, LS-1012)
From Aural Innovations #5 (January 1999)
On their second CD (see review of debut in AI #4), Spacecraft have released a live performance recorded at the Hummel Planetarium at Eastern Kentucky University. Chris Blazen is absent from this CD, the core of the group now being Tony Gerber on guitars and synthesizers, John Rose on synthesizers, and Diane Timmons on synthesizers and wonderfully haunting vocals.
"Hummel Live" is much like their first recording though I was far more aware of individual sounds on the first, and described the experience as like actually being in a spacecraft. This is a minor point, though, as the new release still retains the eerie space atmospheric quality. Also, Tony Gerber's guitar is far more conspicuous than before making some of the music sound like early Ash Ra Tempel during their more lucid moments. The focus on atmosphere and development is what makes this interesting as opposed to being New Age fluff, and being at the Hummel during this performance must have been quite an experience. It's nothing new, falling squarely into the early Tangerine Dream mold, but the musicians do an excellent job of it.
The only thing that annoyed me was that "De Profundis" ends so abruptly (30 seconds still to go) that it has to have been a mistake. But overall this is good stuff for fans of floating ethereal electronics.
You can visit Spacecraft at their web site.
You can also hear sound files at their mp3.com web site.
Reviewed by Jerry Kranitz