Search - Immersion :: Low Impact

Vapour trail

loteq | Regensburg | 06/12/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Immersion is the project of Wire's Colin Newman and his wife Malka Spigel. They have released a string of very well-received experimental ambient-dub albums and EPs during the mid-'90s, occasionally under other pseudonyms like Oracle or Intens. After working on several solo albums like Colin's "Bastard" and Malka's "Hide", they returned in 1999 with this full-length CD. However, compared with Immersion's earlier output, "Low impact" is a disappointing, bland project that bears little resemblance to the band's once inspired performance. Consisting of six very long tracks, the 'drumless space aesthetic' of "Low impact" is a mostly tedious listening experience. Some of the tracks were even used as background music for an installation, and that's just too lame to believe. The only piece that really leaves a lasting impression is "Homage to water", featuring Immersion's typical subsonic bass power and intertwining melodic fragments. "Days under the sun" isn't too shabby, either, but the rest just floats by without making any impact. The original edition of this album contains a bonus disc, compiling the tracks of 1995's EP "Second immersion" and a few rarities. Try to get this edition instead, the second disc offers some of the best electronica I've ever listened to."