Gasman - Controlled Hallucination

  by Maarten Schiethart

published: 14 / 1 / 2019

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Review

Hallucination by oxygen more likely. A large part of the Gasman's inspiration comes from Jean-Michel Jarre's classic synthesizer hit 'Oxygène' and from Italo Disco, the 1970’s brand of disco which originated in Milan. Bubbling off-kilter Eurodisco sets the tone on Side 1. 1990’s computer MIDI sounds define the Gasman equally well. Too much of a bird brain though, the Gasman never achieves the far stretched autobahn discipline of, say, Kraftwerk. 'Tic 3000', however, sounds to me like exotic science fiction percussion, yet this may be just standard to generations younger than I. In a disappointing Level 42 style, muzak track 'Retention' builds towards 'Cessation' . Flirting with minimalism, and reminiscent of the Teardrop Explodes''Laughing Gas', 'Wizards Sleeve', however, introduces harpsichord, glockenspiel and piano, all of which interact together in a very playful and spiritual mood. 'Wizards Sleeve' makes one ponder how the Gasman might want to play the theremin. He plays the Hammond organ, as the trip continues with eerie 'Star Trek 'sounds on 'Ufoluta'. It is quite daft as a track, yet necessary to change the mood, and to flip out the other LP. On to Side 3 of the 2LP, which is manufactured from recycled vinyl which was a no-go-er in the heyday of the LP,. Now incorporating also a church organ, the Gasman stretches out on 'Sii 2' with even more keyboards. 'Torse' kicks off in classic 1980's synth pop hit mode before the album develops a darker mood on 'Anti Notice'. Not quite floating on air or on water,'Controlled Hallucination' starts making sense. 'CTTE', which starts the closing side, features fantastic piano play as moments of freeform jazz start to challenge the predominantly frivolous and startling synthesizer. The title track 'Controlled Hallucination' begins with full-blown church organ and quickly incorporates jungle rhythms from the early 1990s which go back and forwards. Like a dance anthem, it winds down before returning after a break with extra vigour. It ends with - probably - a guitar sounding like a choking seagull. The album is then concluded with the popping little waltz 'Ataraxy' to round off business. The Gasman runs a fun shop.

Track Listing:-

1 New Chair
2 Flash 6
3 Rotorn
4 Tic 3000
5 Retention
6 Cessation
7 Wizards Sleeve
8 Ufoluta
9 Sii 2
10 Spark 7
11 Torse
12 Anti Notice
13 Ctte
14 Rhombus
15 Controlled Hallucination
16 Ataraxy