Catalyst [51:27] The Chaos Balance [20:30]

product info

Brendan Pollard - sequencers, synthesizers Michael Daniel - guitar, synthesizers Phil Booth - synthesizers

review

And the latest from the P.D.B. trio, a chance to try out some new idea's maybe?. Well this disc stands up in it's own right. Brendan has released three new c.d.'s at the same time, I would not recommend one over the other, so what the hell buy all three........ 2009. Gerry Quirke / England

review

A follow up to their self-titled debut, this one is even more austerely packaged, but once again what matters is the excellent Berlin school music within. “Catalyst” is a brilliant extended Teutonic jam session over 50 minutes long, with great sequencing that chugs along just so for most of it. The opening minutes are stellar atmospheric space music, with some really strong electric guitar courtesy of Michael “Mick” Daniel aka Hashtronaut. He really does a phenomenal job adding just the right extra punch to the proceedings without overwhelming things at all. Once we get about 8:00 in to the journey, it sounds a lot like some of the best RMI offerings I’ve heard, and that is saying something. And although the sequencing is the thing, check out the warbly experimental haunting section that ensues just past the 22:00 mark. Beautiful Mellotron flutes smooth things out nicely, keeping things from going too far afield. This softer section continues for quite a while, with sequencers not resuming until past the 33:00 point, though of course they are quite welcome when they do. This is a masterpiece, and well worth the price of admission alone. But the trio follows it up with another 20 minutes of first rate music in the form of “The Chaos Balance.” This one stays mellow throughout, with male choirs, abstract deep space sounds, and warmer ethereal touches, making a fine finish to a fine album. 2010. Phil Derby / Electroambient Space