Reviews

Now We Are Six (A-Frame006)

  • Fields Full Of Poppies (live)
  • 707
  • Brown
  • One Room Flat (live)
  • With Out You I Would Have No One To Leave (original version)
  • hawfrost
  • Christmas in Jonestown
  • Unknown Substance
  • Sweet Smell Of Cloves (macondo mix)
  • Everyday I Die For Your Body (live)
  • Fields Full Of Poppies (original version)

David Law, Synth Music Direct

"The idea behind this CD was to put together all the various tracks that have appeared over the last few years on various compilation releases but are not on either 'Tomorrow's Tuesday' or 'Grey Mirrors' (either at all or of the particular versions presented here). 'Fields Full of Poppies' appeared on 'Awakenings 2006 Volume 2'. From a gently syncopated beginning the most beautiful and heartrending melody emerges. This is a stunning composition that is ample proof that Electronic Music can be anything but cold and unemotional. '707' is from 'Awakenings 2005' and is full of Eastern stylings around some lovely laid back rhythms and exquisite lead lines. Simply gorgeous. 'Brown' was written for the 'Ambient Collectives Colours' release. It starts all deep, with brooding animal type noises but it isn't long before the exciting rhythm and sequences come in, each note oozing the most wonderful melody as if looking out in awe at a spectacular landscape, cloud shadows chasing over the hills. I had never heard this track before. For it to have just remained on a scarcely heard compilation would have been a tragedy. It is a tremendous track - as good as anything on his two albums."

"'One Room Flat' is from 'Awakenings 2006 Volume 1'. After a spoken intro we get a series of stunningly beautifully melodies accompanied by sedate put perfectly placed rhythms. It is a track that would have been very much at home as part of his classic 'Grey Mirrors'. Again, wonderful. 'Without you I would have no-one to Leave (Original Version)' was from the 'Two Up, Two Down' EP. It begins with answering machine messages over swirling pads. The rhythms are as usual excellent, the melodies having a sort of swirling quality to them which is quite sublime 'Hawfrost' from 'Sequences 39' is all rather moody and breathy with almost whispering melodies creating quite a wistful but also beautiful atmosphere."

"'Christmas in Jonestown' is initially a collage of street noises, monastic chanting and a captivating tinkling melodic loop. More superb melodies come in one after another reaching straight for the soul. I didn't find anything particularly 'festive' about the track but it is absolutely brilliant nevertheless and to me was a particular thrill because as it was only available on the 'Arctic Christmas Sampler 2006' (which I don't have) I had never heard it before. 'Unknown Substance' is one of The Glimmer Room's most upbeat tracks, really letting rip in a way that would get me driving far too fast. Contrasting this however is the most silken of melodies, then a sort of machine gun lead line which just spits energy. One to play really loud. Apparently it was on a 'Sequences' cover disc from August 2003 which I somehow must have missed as there is no way I would have forgotten a track of this power or quality. 'Sweet Smell of Cloves (Macondo Mix)' is a version I hadn't heard before as it was from the 'Two Up, Two Down' EP. I always loved the version on 'Tomorrow's Tuesday'. Unusually it has a vocal, which often puts me off- but what a vocal! This version is VERY different to the album version, the rhythms being about five times as powerful here. The beauty of the lyrics and vocal delivery juxtaposition the beats incredibly effectively. Really not sure which version of the track I like the most, both having a radically different feel to them."

"'Everyday I Die For Your Body (Live)' is really quite different to the album version. It's much moodier, the wordless vocal pads more heartrending plus there's a superb additional little melody line fitting the atmos perfectly. Rhythmically it really kicks and the guitar is a plus. This version appeared on Awakenings 2005 and if anything is even better than the studio version. 'Field Full of Poppies (Original Version)' is a radically different to the track which starts the album and has never appeared anywhere before which is quite amazing as it is a lovely track simply dripping melancholy. It is much more laid back than the live version; indeed it is very easy to think that these two interpretations aren't even related. As far as I know this hasn't appeared anywhere else before. (DL)"

Matt Howarth

"British EM band the Glimmer Room is generally known for ambient long-form compositions, but this release affords a tantalizing glimpse at more compact songs which possess a higher degree of activity."

THE GLIMMER ROOM: Now We Are Six (CD on A-Frame Media)

"This release from 2007 offers 63 minutes of engaging electronic tracks sourced from collections and live performances."

"The first track appeared on the "Awakenings 2006 Volume 2Ó compilation. It features dreamy electronics supported by luxuriously understated e-perc. Sharp tones punctuate the sedate melody as it accretes compelling puissance."

"The second track comes from the "Awakenings 2005Ó compilation. Darker pulsations and piercing bloops lend melodrama to this mesmerizing composition."

"The third piece is from the "Ambient Collectives ColourÓ collection in 2006. An ominous opening leads to a lively dose of autumnal expressions with bouncy sequencers and artificial growls."

"The fourth track was included on the "Awakenings 2006Ó and the "Progressive Music Society Portraits 4Ó compilations; it was recorded live at Awakenings 2005 and featured OJ (from The Jupiter 8) on guest guitar. A brief vocal recitation sets a domestic mood for what is otherwise a very cosmic excursion through a pastoral venue."

"The fifth piece is the original (unreleased) version of a track from the Glimmer RoomÕs "TomorrowÕs TuesdayÓ album. Vocal samples flitter throughout this straight-ahead mood piece. Airy keyboards are counterbalanced by subtle bass notes."

"The sixth track was included on the disk which accompanied an issue of "SequencesÓ magazine in 2004. An astral piece that drifts on self-generated sonic breezes. Before its conclusion, frostily-muted tempos rise in the distance"

"The seventh piece comes from the "Arctic Mist ChristmasÓ sampler in 2006. A bevy of reverent aspects are filtered through a synthetic lens so that they convey a sadness at the same time as veneration. Optimistic rhythms and twinkling keyboards strive to lend hope to this melancholic ceremony."

"The eighth track was on the disk which accompanied an issue of "SequencesÓ magazine in 2003. E-perc plays a stronger role here, boosting the tune into techno territory. Elongated keyboards cavort with fanciful effects to create a sprightly composition."

"The ninth piece was originally on the bandÕs "TomorrowÕs TuesdayÓ album; this version is remixed by Wayne Clements and was on the "Two Up, Two DownÓ EP in 2002. Vocals and chugging keyboards transform this dreamy tune into a very commercial piece."

"The tenth track, a live version of a track from the "TomorrowÕs TuesdayÓ album, comes from the bandÕs live performance at Awakenings 2005, and features OJ (from The Jupiter 8) on guitar and synthesizers. The remote twang of a bluesy guitar lends this heavenly electronic composition a pleasant earthiness. Sinuous e-perc bestows suitable locomotion, driving the piece toward a trancey finale."

"The last track is the original version of the first track on this album; this version was recorded back in the summer of 2004. Romantic strings and idyllic chamberlain and a hint of horns on the horizon conspire to create quite a classical take on this tune."

"Stepping sideways and ignoring all the background data, this album is a delightful dose of contemporary EM with a tasteful dash of modern and traditional fashions."