After working for several years as a DJ and producer of compilations, Swiss native Alain Weber has decided to channel his experience and knowledge into a new solo album. As if painting pictures through sound, his music will evoke thoughts of winter, of darkness, of solitude in the listener. While not a bad effort overall - in fact, quite pleasing in spells - it does almost consign itself to the background. One for the intent listeners, then!
Built largely on classical foundations, the focus - quite correctly, since it is an album of instrumental compositions - is solely on the music. Patience, therefore, is a good quality to have as a listener but, while lively enough to not be regarded as boring, the less attentive types will tune out of this quite easily, no matter the volume.
A re-tooling of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” (which seems strange, given the significance of lyrics to the original) is a highlight, even if an uninformed listener might not realise it to be a borrowed song. “Christmas” also has its flurries of beauty, while “Forte Fortis XXVI” has a Renaissance feel to it.
On the whole, the album does make for a pleasant listen but it is highly unlikely that many people will give it the concentrated examination that it would merit. Clearly, a lot of thought has gone into the album - perhaps more than most people can handle. There’s a good album here, but finding it may prove a struggle for some.