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Rapoon, "Alien Glyph Morphology"
This CD is the third installment in Rapoon's Alien Glyph Morphology series. The material here appeared previously in a 2X10'' LP, but it plays more like an compilation than a album. The songs use similar samples and snyth patches, but their quality varies widely and makes for a frustrating listen.
The limited edition of this CD packaged in a beautiful chocolate brown triple gatefold sleeve. It's printed in ripple pattern that looks like channels of rainwater in the sand. Robin Storey, the man behind Rapoon and member of Reformed Faction, is as much a painter and printmaker as he is a musician. His designs are organic but not crude, mimicking the primitive yet futuristic landscape of the desert Southwest. In Colorado, where I grew up, alien mythology, Indian ruins, and Space Age nostalgia was, and still is, an important part the culture. Holding the sleeve and reading the titles brought back a lot memories of growing up there.
As for the music itself, I was less impressed. The synthesized instruments often sound chintzy, especially the trumpet patch used throughout the album. The clear, pristine sound production compounds this problem. Normally this is a virtue, but here it only highlights the artificial quality of Storey's sound sources. The more enjoyable tracks, like "Stealth Coming," have thick curtain of reverb pulled over them, creating the mysterious atmosphere I was expecting.
I had some reservations on speaking negatively about this release. I love the concept and packaging, but the music failed to elicit much a reaction at all. That said, it's hard to find serious fault, because I could just listen to the dozens of other releases and side projects Storey has put out before. And given how productive he is, I don't think it will take long for him to put out something more appealing.
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