Campbell, Neil/Collective - Particle Theory
SKU
NCCD 005
Sometimes I find the huge amount of talent and interesting music out there in the world to be overwhelming. Just when I think I've heard it all, something totally unheard comes in my mailbox (or more increasingly, streams through my computer). This is one of those unexpected discoveries. Neil Campbell is a composer and on this album he plays classical, electric and acoustic guitars, piano, synths, Wurlitzer electric piano and more. The "collective" consists of cello, drums, bass and vocals, plus a few guests. This is definitely progressive rock, but it's very fresh and very uncontrived and unconventional sounding. The classical-style guitar and cello are especially prominent and define the over-all sound. Some really great, moody melodies are explored. I was VERY impressed. You will be too.
"The Neil Campbell Collective’s first album, ‘3 O’Clock Sky’ (2005), was a concept album filled with autumnal and atmospheric songs with a progressive/space rock underpinning. Whilst very well received by critics in progressive and classic rock circles, the Liverpool (UK) based band started to radically develop their sound over the forthcoming year and began work on their second album ‘Particle Theory’ (2007) with a much more experimental approach. Around a year in the making, ‘Particle Theory’, whilst remaining eminently melodic and filled with sumptuous rhythmic, textural and harmonic arrangements, has almost completely abandoned any vestige of conventional song forms. Across the length of the album a small handful of themes are presented, layered and hyper-arranged in an array of wildly diverging contexts, demonstrating an amalgam of styles and references from progressive, post-minimal and ambient music. These stylistic variations allow the musicians to demonstrate their incredible flexibility and skill as performers. A diverse and often virtuosic instrumentation consisting of layered cellos and textured ethereal vocals, EMS analogue synthesizer, classical, electric and acoustic guitars, celtic harp, wurlitzer and grand piano, operatic soprano and theremin is supported by a detailed and often propulsive rhythm section. Composer, virtuoso classical guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Neil Campbell, has invited some of the best musicians Liverpool (European Capital of Culture 2008) has to offer, to contribute and make special guest appearances on the album."
You can hear their music here
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