Cd Feature/ Robert Schroeder: "Brain Chips"
TobiasHow long has it been? After founding his own label and spectacularly reinventing himself with two of the best albums of the 90s, Robert Schroeder disappeared into what at first seemed a short period of reflection.
It lasted a full ten years. Only occasionaly would a piece of information be released, suggesting that Schroeder was still playing and composing. But apart from that, everything remained quiet. The man, who had developed a truly unique style based on floating sequencers, dark and brooding harmonies and romantic melodic progressions seemeded to have given up. “Brain Chips”, however, his 14th album in a career stretching almost three decades, sounds as energetic and fresh as anything we’ve heard this year and sees Robert take on an entirely new direction. The fan will of course recognise some stylistic trademarks and there are a few quotes referring to Schröder’s “golden age” in the mid-80s. Still, the main body of the album consists of entirely new and shimmering sound excursions in glistening colours, which are at times pierced by relaxed guitar solos and almost classical piano. The production is richer and more dense than ever before, and only slightly less spacious than for example on “Time Waves” – just listen to those basses in the opening track! What really sets the album apart from Schroeder’s previous work is a certain quirkiness that can be found both in the bubbly electronica of “Froggy” and in titles such as “Doo Doo” or “Shallala”. The latter makes for a good example for the complete CD: Contrasting playful and gentle themes with monotonous and trancy impulses, it seems to lift off into the typical “Berlin School”-journey – but never does.
The real question, naturally, is: Has it been worth the wait? Let’s put it like this: Imagine seeing a good friend again after a very, very long time. He has changed, of course, and you know there’s a lot of catching up to do. But behind those eyes is the same person you always knew and loved. That’s how good “Brain Chips” is.
Homepage: Spheric Music
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