Ulrich Schnauss - Far Away Trains Passing By

synctank, Jan 04, 2003

The latest addition to the steadily increasing City Centre Offices catalog is this lovely full length ditty by the mysterious Ulrich Schnauss. Ill cut right to it and state that this short-but-sweet little gem is a good contender for album of the year, offering the listener a smooth, near-perfect album overflowing with beautiful melodies, steady beats, memorable bass patterns, and a consistent, dreamy demeanor throughout. While not exactly breaking new ground, Far Away Trains Passing By takes the familiar, but rarely mastered approach to electronica that has generated much admiration for similar acts such as Herrmann & Kleine and Boards of Canada. I know thats a pretty tall order to fill but if there is any album this year that deserves such comparisons, it is this one. This is one of those rare works that you just want to play for everyone you know. With a mere six tracks and a total playing time of just over forty-three minutes, Far Away Trains Passing By consistently maintains a smooth, aurally appealing mood of carefully fashioned songs that are meant to inspire daydreams and lift spirits. I think I just completed my top ten list for this year.

Was the above review useful to you? Yes  No  (report)