Ethereal 77 - Landscapes

This is a brilliant piece. It is the great work through which Ulrich's untamed genius as a composer begins to emerge.

It's not great because it's technically a strong work -- the fact that this is what's often pointed to regarding the disc is probably due to the contrast with his even earlier work. Rarely in music do we get to see the total evolution of an artist from such an early stage to such an advanced and masterful position, and because we can (potentially) see that path with Schnauss, it tends to influence how we might think of works like this.

I don't feel that this work is great *because* it's technically strong. I feel that it's great because it has a unique complexity of sound, and crispness of emotion that precipitated what was to come in his catalog.

It is a different project from those works released under his own name. It is a different, sharp, quickly thoughtful work that marks both the culmination of his early works, and the foreshadowing of a very powerful new aesthetic.

As much as I love it, I would not say that this is a masterpiece, but it sure comes close.


I'm predicting, following Goodbye, that Ulrich will move back into this project for some time; he has said that Goodbye was the completion of the trilogy of works released under his own name, and I have to say... If that man returns to this style, I think we would now be in for some true masterpieces.

Ardent fans of Ulrich Schnauss need no introduction to the fact that he knows his way around the recording studio in much the same way as fellow countryman, Michael Schumacher, knows his way around an F1 circuit.

To continue the analogy, as Schumacher revelled in eating up the track, Schnauss, on this particular outing and in stark contrast to the work he would go on to produce, races across the keys in a similarly assured style.
The overall effect is nothing short of rivetingly frenetic, as sparkling synth melodies attempt to seduce Intelligent Drum n Bass. Stand out tracks, at least for me, include Religion, Ultrablue and the impossibly fascinating Somnambulism.

I think it's fair to say that Schnauss crosses the finishing line with a roar of triumph... Or should that be with a roar of Ferrari?

This is incredible stuff, so melodic and soothing. This guy has really mastered his synthesizers as is clearly evident when you listen to the professional arrangements, full of ideas and creativity. He must be a learned pianist, because his chords, harmonies and melodies are so well thought out and evolving. Landscapes is versatile and interesting all the way through with some drum & bass, electro and downtempo grooves. All the tracks are mixed together to make one complete listening experience. This is really what Jean-Michel Jarre should have done, hadn't he lost his marbles with that euro cheese. This is masterful stuff and I dare you people to take this ethereal journey...