Pram - The Moving Frontier
by Mark Rowland
published: 12 / 10 / 2007
Label:
Domino Records
Format: CD
intro
Minimal, but appealing jazz-orientated electronica on the latest album from the much rated Pram
‘The Empty Quarter’, the opener of 'The Moving Frontier', sounds like music from a Western, driven by organ and twangy guitar. This organic start is surprising, as Pram has spent well over ten years developing a reputation as an electronica band to be reckoned with. The minimal, vocal-led, chiming electronic sound of 'Salt and Sand' fits that idea of the band and 'Iske' offers more of the same, this time taking an instrumental, jazzy direction. These two tracks pretty much set the tone for the entire album; minimal, jazzy melody lines, electronic bleeps and occasional understated vocals from Rosie Cuckston, which vaguely brings to mind Young Marble Giants’ Alison Statton. The 14 tracks on offer here won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but fans of ambient electronica and modern, minimal jazz will get something out of it. The tone and pace of the album is reasonably constant throughout the album, with moments like ‘Hums Around Us’ standing out for their melodies (that track sounds particularly like the organ-led moments on the aforementioned Giants’ ‘Colossal Youth’ album’).
Track Listing:-
1 The Empty Quarter2 Salt And Sand
3 Iske
4 The City Surveyor
5 Sundew
6 Salva
7 Moonminer
8 Hums Around Us
9 Metaluna
10 Beluga
11 Blind Tiger
12 Mariana Deep
13 Compass Rose
14 The Silk Road
Label Links:-
http://www.dominorecordco.com/https://www.facebook.com/DominoRecordCo
https://twitter.com/DominoRecordCo
https://www.youtube.com/user/DominoRecords
https://plus.google.com/+DominoRecords
reviews |
Prisoner of the 7 Pines (2008) |
Somewhat dull and unnecessary collection of remixes from Birmingham-based elecronic group, Pram |
Museum Of Imaginary Animals (2001) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart