HR167 - Emmellar - Earthscapes - C46 — 1989
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SIDE ONE:
Polar Nights Towards the Axis Land of Midnight Sun Cetus Cradle of Life Cetus Pax |
SIDE TWO:
Ring of Fire Ascending the Atlas Eye of the Storm Microlight Sunglow Horizon |
REVIEW by Jerry Kranitz
Emmellar were the duo of Mark Lyden and Mitch Rushton. Earthscapes was the first of a planned series of electronic albums, with this one meant to “portray, through its different tracks, the many varied aspects of the home planet. It is, in effect, a celebration of the birth of man.”
The thematic development and its attendant twists and turns across these ten tracks is impressive. Some of it strikes me as a Vangelis meets John Carpenter soundtrack. We’re floating in space with the melodies telling a story. Other tracks make me feel like I’m in a space action film, with a cool combination of piano, synths, and military vibe. There’s lots of variety too. Like the freaky alien animal squeals on ‘Cetus’, the stilted yet grooving oriental aura on ‘Ring of Fire’, the cosmic orchestral menace of ‘Ascending the Atlas’, and the symphonic Kraftwerk feel of ‘Microlight’.
Emmellar were the duo of Mark Lyden and Mitch Rushton. Earthscapes was the first of a planned series of electronic albums, with this one meant to “portray, through its different tracks, the many varied aspects of the home planet. It is, in effect, a celebration of the birth of man.”
The thematic development and its attendant twists and turns across these ten tracks is impressive. Some of it strikes me as a Vangelis meets John Carpenter soundtrack. We’re floating in space with the melodies telling a story. Other tracks make me feel like I’m in a space action film, with a cool combination of piano, synths, and military vibe. There’s lots of variety too. Like the freaky alien animal squeals on ‘Cetus’, the stilted yet grooving oriental aura on ‘Ring of Fire’, the cosmic orchestral menace of ‘Ascending the Atlas’, and the symphonic Kraftwerk feel of ‘Microlight’.