Search - Russell Mills, Undark :: Pearl & Umbra

TOO MANY COOKS...

elisa | Los Angeles, CA | 03/02/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard Russell Mills and his composite band, Undark, on a Bella Union Records sampler--the label started by former Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde. The track Mills included, "Cage of Air," stood out from most of the other tracks on the sampler, so I eagerly awaited the copy of "Pearl & Umbra," Mills' debut CD, I'd ordered from Amazon.com.On this CD, Mills' band, Undark, is comprised of many different lights in the experimental/independent music pantheon. Brian Eno, David Eno, Hector Zazou and Thurston Moore all contribute instrumental and production skills (or "sculpting," as Mills calls it). Former Cocteau Twin Robin Guthrie is billed as "sonic mandarin," meaning, I guess, that he's second-sculptor-in-command after Mills. Mitsuo Tate, who brought much-needed life to the Cocteaus' final live performances, helps on guitar. David Sylvian contributes a gossamer vocal to "Rooms of the Sixteen Shimmers," one of the better tracks here. Peter Gabriel contributes "muted howls"--so muted, in fact, that it's hard to figure out exactly where Gabriel's distinctive voice is. There are female vocals, too--sensual and ethereal on "Heaven Dips," and someone who sounds a lot like Annie Lennox (but isn't) on a rather heavy reading of Sid Barrett's "Golden Hair." (I've always preferred Slowdive's haunting version.)Most of the tracks on "Pearl & Umbra" are instrumental, some better than others. "Causes Cause Causes" moves intriguingly; "Canyon: Split Asunder" is beautifully odd; "A Swoon in Amber" is eerily promising. But for the most part, "Pearl & Umbra" as a whole is a rather emotionless album. Disappointing, considering the number of excellent artists helping...um, sculpt this album. I guess it's a product of too many cooks in the kitchen. Not enough direction, too much tweaking.I hope Mills will try again. He might have better luck the second time around."

Just one thing:

Kitsuki | In-Between Places USA | 08/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most if not all of the famous collaborators listed on Russell Mills albums do not actually 'perform' on them. Mr. Mills askes his clients and friends if they have any unused bits and pieces of sound, melody, texture, beats, etc. and then uses the collected sounds to make a musical collage or bricolage.



This is similar to the technique that he uses in his visual art. I get this information from an interview with Mills, I believe that it is archived on his website:(...)"