CD Review: Autoclav1.1 – Embark on Departure

Written by Sebastian Huhn Saturday, 21 April 2012 14:06

Artist: Autoclav1.1
Title: Embark On Departure
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: 13th March 2012
Label: Tympanik Audio

Album Review

'Embark On Departure', the beginning of the end? A decision delayed for so long it can't be avoided any longer? Either way, time seems to play a major part in the all new AUTOCLAV1.1 album 'Embark On Departure'. You can tell by merely looking at the album's tracklist. There are hints to the theme in abundance in my opinion. ON the musical side of the coin, Tony's made steps towards a tighter and most times organic sounding beatwork while melodies recall brilliant moments of my first AUTOCLAV1.1 album 'Love No Longer Lives Here'. 'Lights Out' is when the decision is made and there is no going back, just a brief look back to what once was, not knowing what the future's holding for you. I personally can relate to that very well right now. 'This Could Be You' rather takes the opposite point of view looking on what could've been now if a decision had been made at the right time. The track flows together nicely holding percussion sounds mashed with clearly artificial beats under beautiful piano.

'Nine' years have passed and nothing's changed at all. Time's made everything a wasteland on the inside with no apparent hope of release. The feeling of time that is forever lost is embedded in these minimal broken beats that creep along while piano movements and strings add the emotional painting to bleak walls. I must admit that 'Recent Conversation' caught me off-guard. Here, Tony explores unconfined territory by utilizing rapid salvoes of break beats that ricochet from solid walls build melancholic ambience and a slow piano coda. 'Scars' featuring vocals of Claus Larsen is by far the roughest piece of music on the new album with Larsen's vocals giving it an overly aggressive undertone that hasn't been highlighted so clearly before. It musically combines elements of the industrial with laid-back harmonies. 'Inhale/Exhale' bears a little resemblance to 'All For You' from an earlier album for me. It feels to me like there's some kind of connection between those two I didn't figure just yet. Sounding much more electronic though and equipped with a piano melody I just can't get out of my head.

Now to my clear favourite 'No Running Away From This'. It bleeds the inevitability the title suggests. Standing with your back against the wall and no way out. It goes through an intriguing change from using a heavy drum loop to reverting to a classic sound with the thickest mash-up of melodies and moods you can imagine. Brilliant! At last it says 'Stop The Clock'. The closing track is particularly captivating since it's just made of melody in various forms for about 2 minutes. Then the stage is set for the drums to kick in and complete the picture until it all fades for good. On the new album Tony's not changing the recipe radically, and I think this is the best way to do it. Gradually incorporating new elements, testing new ways of pushing the personal envelope, while at the same time retaining the core sound! 'Embark On Departure' stands just for that!!!


Tracklist

01. Lights Out - 4:20
02. This Could Be You - 4:48
03. Nine - 4:21
04. Recent Conversation - 3:57
05. Tick.Tock. - 4:21
06. Scars - 4:36
07. Inhale/Exhale - 4:23
08. No Running Away From This - 3:53
09. Foolishly Sentimental - 3:45
10. Three Hours - 4:18
11. Today Is The Day - 4:48
12. Stop The Clock - 4:14


Line-Up

Tony Young


Website

http://autoclavonline.com/ / http://www.facebook.com/pages/Autoclav11/41967751781


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10


Buy the album here!