London’s Philip Clemo uses an enticing blend of jazz and progressive rock on his latest album The Rooms. Clemo experiments with unique sounds throughout the album by providing different “atmospheres” for the background of each song. As a result, The Rooms is an example of hypnotizing experimentation that breaks away from the traditional.
The Rooms begins with the 17 minute opus “The Place.” Here, Clemo lays down a humming background atmosphere that gives you the feeling of floating through space. Clemo’s floating, psychedelic guitar sound only enhances this feeling. The minimalist piano and horn melodies of the track provide the perfect back-up for Clemo. Despite its length, “The Place” keeps your attention with trance-inducing distorted sounds.
Likewise, “Dream of Shattered Glass” also has a hypnotic quality. Clemo bounces between psychedelic guitar distortion and jazz riffs on the song, creating the perfect balance of experimentation and melodic sensibility. The droning organs that rule the background of the track provide the perfect atmosphere for the laid-back, but highly exciting melodies that come in later.
One of the strongest parts of The Rooms is “The Shifting Patterns of Sunlight.” The song begins with the echoing of the distorted drum atmosphere. The sound established is surprisingly delicate, and the melodies of the song match perfectly. Clemo does a great job with a guitar and complimenting horn melody that moves from being so quiet that it barely exists, to suddenly dominating the song. “The Shifting Patterns of Sunlight” shows Clemo’s engaging song-writing as well as any track on the album.
If you enjoy the experimentation of The Rooms, “Shadows From The Walls” will leave you in awe late in the album. It’s amazing how Clemo brings a delicate melody out of chaotic cymbal crashes on the song.
Ultimately, The Rooms is an album of ambitious experimentation likely to be similar to nothing that you’ve heard before. Clemo’s arrangements push his sound to the limit, but still show a beautiful melodic sense. If you’re tired of the same old thing, Clemo will drive you out of your musical coma.
March 9, 2009
