Thread "The Need for a Sky" Sensory Expansion SEX000001 1998 (55:08)
Maria (6:43)
The Disembodied Voice of an Unintelligible Child (5:10)
Soma Eye-Rot (5:26)
A Day at the Coast (1:20)
The Only One (1:49)
Comfort (7:54)
Lost and Untitled (2:21)
Faerie Dance (4:46)
Citehtnys (3:30)
Taiga (4:56)
A Delicate Dream (5:55)
Songbird (5:18)
Thread is James M. I.
Overall impression: good. "The Need for a Sky" cd is an anthology of songs from Thread's first ep and 2 albums, covering 1994-1998. I know that James is influenced by Coil (which he's also done remixes of - see the Thread WWW site below), but I'd venture to say that many a Skinny Puppy, Download, Autechre, Not Breathing and possibly, Legendary Pink Dots cds can be found in his personal collection. But, that being said, James doesn't merely copy any of those bands but has rather found his own niche, drawing on his influences to produce his own instrumental songs. The music on this cd ranges from quieter ambient pieces to more abrasive and pounding electro and everything in between and beyond. Thread combines the usual assortment of stuff: beats, atmospheres, keyboard lines, effects, samples, voices, etc, but what's most interesting about this music is how melodic and varied it is, rather than going through the motions James has actually taken the time and effort to create original and interesting sounds and use them to form well structured songs. The style varies from song to song, and even within songs as James is not afraid to mix squelchy beats/keyboard and harsh sound samples with breathy keyboard lines and floating melodies. Good stuff, especially considering that much of this cd is older material. My only complaints are that the beats on a few tracks are a bit too simple/monotonous, and even though I consider this good electronic music, I'm pretty sure James is capable of doing even better. I expect very good things from Thread in future years, and I expect Thread will become more of a house hold name amongst electro/industrial types ...