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I recently rediscovered this album from 1999 in my collection by chance. Known primarily for “ambient chamber music,” a style that combines live instruments with electronic effects, American composer Kevin Keller has worked in the spaces between neo-classical, ambient, and electronic music for over thirty years. The 50-minute “Pendulum”, able to achieve the fascinating balance between mystical, lyrical, and cerebral elements, presents a ‘kaleidoscopic musical journey in 6 parts’, where the music can be classified among somewhat darker-tinged ambient-sound textures. The opener “Convergence” is a cracking piece of sound art while “Arc of the Pendulum” pulls the listener further inward. Both are wonderful examples of highly cinematic ambient (with David Darling’s compelling cello playing on the second one) before things turn slightly more experimental but not unpleasant on the third track. “Awakened” picks up the captivating thread again and features beautiful wordless vocals by Kevin himself in addition to atmospheric soundscapes. “Invisible Rituals” is another mystic-atmospheric outing not that easy to chew. The finale piece “Distances” -very reminiscent of both Eno and Robert Rich at their best- is true soundscape beauty featuring Jeff Pearce on e-guitar. “Pendulum” is a continuous, slowly developing and intense ambient ride where enchanting sonic elements flow seamlessly from one to the next. |
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Website: kevinkeller.bandcamp.com
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