published: 27 /
1 /
2014
Label:
Soft Bodies Records
Format: CD
Occasionally self-indulgent but enjoyable instrumental electronica on third album from London-based band, Gyratory System
Review
‘Utility Music’ is the third album by Gyratory System and is released by Soft Bodies Records, who are purveyors of all things mental. Fitting well into that ideology, Gyratory System do not stray that far from what is norm for Soft Bodies. Rather than being a total brain fizz, ‘Utility Music’ is, however, a gentle guide through a magical electronic world. It could be the sound track to ‘Tron’, if ‘Tron were instead to feature a robot engaging in laidback summer’s activities rather than future humans playing on space-age motorbikes. There is a wide-eyed innocence to ‘Utility Music’, making it an enjoyable rather than a challenging listen.
With their influences ranging from Talk Talk to Kraftwerk, their music is all machine-based, but there is, however, a human touch to Gryatory System. This personable quality shines through on tracks such as ‘AAA’, the kids’ orchestra -esque ‘The Spectrum’, and particularly on the latter part of the album with ‘Mr Portsmouth’ and the prog-tastic ‘This Could Be Your Party’, both of which draw the album to a gentle but memorable end.
As an album it does feel as though it drags on a little around the middle as there’s only so much electronic music a human can take in one sitting, but hope is not totally lost. This is often the difficulty with instrumental albums/bands as you do find yourself from time to time missing that human voice that keeps things in the real world rather than becoming background music. Overall, however, though there is enough quality on this album to make it an enjoyable and worthwhile listen.
Track Listing:-
1
John Frum
2
Harmonograph
3
Aaa
4
The Spectrum
5
Lackland
6
Thorney Island
7
Messidor
8
Old Harmony
9
Mr. Portsmouth
10
This Could Be Your Party
Band Links:-
https://twitter.com/gyratorysystem
http://www.gyratorysystem.com/
https://www.facebook.com/gyratorysyste
http://gyratorysystem.bandcamp.com/
Label Links:-
http://www.softbodiesrecords.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/softbodiesrec
https://twitter.com/SoftBodies
http://softbodiesrecords.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/Quimpervi
http://softbodies.bandcamp.com/