Behind the Shadow Drops - Harmonic

  by Dave Goodwin

published: 19 / 11 / 2017

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Not being one for an album full of instrumental tracks, I found myself very much out of my comfort zone here. This offering from Behind the Shadow Drops, the new solo project from Takaakira ‘Taka’ Goto who is the guitarist and composer in Tokyo, Japan-based instrumental musical group MONO, however, features my favorite aspect of any music on the planet. I have always had a fondness for the melancholic sound of the cello so this proved easier than I thought, especially as it features Los Angeles’ rock cellist, Helen Money, whose work I have heard before. Behind the Shadow Drops, which was formed in 2016, is Taka’s first attempt in his career to combine elements of ambience, trip hop and other minimal musical elements. He has created for his listeners on it a soundtrack-like, dark, musical world to the listeners. 'Trace of Snow Waltz', the second track on this album, is a cello fest which, with the help of a piano, suddenly plunges into that darkness with a Numanoid industrial-type growl and a trippy beat to go with it. 'Utopia' in contrast does exactly what its title suggests, creating a celestial sound. This album features drums, percussion and programming by John McEntire of Tortoise and the Sea And The Cake, who also mixed the album at Soma in Chicago. As the album progresses, there are more classical meanderings. 'Sonata' involves a return to the piano and cello, while the title track is a guitar/synth combo which eventually bursts into life as McEntire's percussion kicks in halfway through and that becomes heavier and heavier as it progresses. 'Ether' is another compelling mix of uptempo piano and guitar. 'Warm Light' has cello whispering away in the background and is a smooth, chill-out number, before the album finishes in fine style with a reprise of 'Utopia'. This is a fantastic first offering from Taka that will turn a few heads and has gained another new fan. It has been mastered by Herba Kadry at Timeless in New York with direction from Jeremy DeVine, while inside the hauntingly decorated fold-over cover by photographer Mitja Kobal is a 'Thank you' note from Behind the Shadow Drop's record label Temporary Residence, which also has released records by Mogwai, My Disco, Tangents and Low. Me? I have come out the other side with a new taste to add to my others and given my comfort zone a run for its money too. Marvellous!

Track Listing:-

1 The End Of Daydreams
2 Trace Of Snow Waltz
3 Utopia
4 Positive Shadow, Negative Light
5 Sonata
6 H a r m o n i c
7 Ether
8 Warm Light

Band Links:-

http://www.behindtheshadowdrops.com/en/
https://www.facebook.com/behindtheshadowdrops
https://twitter.com/btsdmusic
https://www.instagram.com/behindtheshadowdrops/
https://behindtheshadowdrops.bandcamp.com/

Label Links:-

http://temporaryresidence.com/
https://www.facebook.com/temporaryresidence
https://twitter.com/tempresltd
https://www.youtube.com/user/temporaryresidence
https://plus.google.com/+temporaryresidence

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