For many, Daniel Lanois is the saviour of a multitude of artists’ careers. Hailed as the most important producer of the 1980’s, the Canadian has helped to guide the likes of U2 to become commercial heavyweights and made their tunes shine like diamonds. When he’s not behind the mixing desk, the celebrated songsmith makes his own soundscapes (solo debut Acadie, in particular, merits a good listen or ten); his latest effort Flesh And Machine is arguably his most experimental effort to date.
Merrily playing with musical textures like a child would toys, Lanois’ sixth solo LP will thrill ambient aficionados. The product of many hours spent processing an arsenal of source sounds (which include steel guitars, pianos and human voices) the tracks are like songs from other worlds (‘The End,’ ‘Space Love’). Sometimes eerie (‘Sioux Lookout’) and often elegant (‘My First Love’), Flesh And Machine is, as might be expected, masterfully produced. There are times when the tunes become background music (‘Opera,’ ‘Forest City’), but die-hard fans will love the likes of his fusion of 1950’s shuffles with future sounds (‘My First Love’). Recommended.
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