Album is an intriguing look at years of electronic music knowledge and experience being distilled into only its most necessary elements...even down to the title. This should be no surprise, given that Thiel's other solo release was just named after himself. But what does this mean for the listener? While Album is composed utilizing a very restrained, wonderfully controlled approach, it isn't lacking in sonic seduction and elegant electronics. Like a futuristic ballet, Album uses dancing, electric tones to pull the listener in and move them forward, all while exposing its multi-faceted inner workings. Dark works like "Emag Ballad" and "Fields" work alongside brighter pieces like "Bursts" and "Bubbles," both showcasing their own assets while helping to reinforce the others just through their differences. The leitmotifs that are present on the album help to keep the focus on the work as a whole, even though all pieces stand strongly on their own. Fluid, watery, effervescent synths and bell like tones pervade Album, even on unexpected tracks (for example, it's obvious on "Hydro" but a nice surprise in "Spider"). Also, many tracks carry a somewhat muted vibe that feels as if one is underwater, hearing only what this medium allows to hit one's eardrums. With that, it's interesting to try and match the title with the sounds presented and see just how connected they are to each other. 

 

Proving that quality will always trump quantity, Tom Thiel's second solo release, Album, bubbles forth with electronic exuberance and well constructed compositions. Mixing dark, light, eerie, and bright, the nine song LP is captivating from start to finish, all while staying completely true to itself and its ideals. Although Tom Thiel's solo projects aren't very numerous, the attention, care, and heart put into them surely makes up for the time in between, and any fan of electronic music would do well picking up his latest Album. To find out more