Christopher Bissonnette — Pitch, Paper & Foil

★★★★★

Reviewed 25 November 2015by Paul Casey

Canadian sound artist and designer, Christopher Bissonnette, came onto the scene in 2005 with his release of Periphery. Ten years later, Kranky brings us his newest, Pitch, Paper & Foil. Expanding his sound and, more importantly, his work on modular synthesis, PPF is about growth and restraint. Christopher has grown and taken more control of his modular and, because of this, has learned how to channel it into loving synthesis instead of typical modular, self-indulgent noodling.

Disconnected waves of bleeps and bloops do not appear on Pitch, Paper & Foil. Instead, sounds are woven into a naturally evolving synthesis that the listener can feel grow around him. From "Epoch" to "Dualism," Christopher wraps the listener in a soft, synthy blanket and allows him to drift along with the varying oscillations. Whether fairly sparse and Software reminiscent like "Shuttering Slides," to thick and multi-layered like "Epoch," PPF brings an elegant mix of droning oscillation broken up by evocative synth notes. Using these notes well, Christopher is able to cause the listener to go deep within his mind and bring forth memories of days gone by. This is done with fresh sounds and a loving hand instead of forced nostalgia and a sense of irony. There's a certain dreamlike, lullaby vibe that permeates the album, and I can't be the only one that wasn't brought back to the safety of my youth. This soft longing is most evident on the closer, "Dualism," and is a perfect way to finish off a thoughtful, well constructed synthesizer trip.

Filling the sound field with thoughtful notes and meaningful oscillations, Christopher Bissonnette's newest, Pitch, Paper & Foil escapes the modular synthesis pitfalls and creates a wonderful piece of evocative synth work. His restraint and attention to composition over sheer modulated madness is commended. Pitch, Paper & Foil is recommended for those looking to be swaddled in synth and go on a soft, reflective sonic journey.

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