Radiophonics
From ETWiki
Originally released: 1996 Personnel
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Tracks
All the tracks are taken from the two performances on the evening of Saturday 8th. April, 1995 at the Goethe Institute, Buenos Aires.
- Radiophonic I
- Radiophonic II
- Atmosphere
- Elegy (For Mothers And Children)
- Streets
- Sky
Reviews
Reviews are listed in chronological order within each section. Please retain a chronological order when adding new reviews.
Entire Release
Date Submitted: 25-Oct-97
By: Michael W. Flaherty (z946128 at rice dot farm dot niu dot edu)
"Robert Fripp's "Radiophonics" soundscape opens with the slow rumble of "Radiophonics I": low drones are slowly joined by higher pitched, waving sounds that gradually move across one's speakers. Eventually, the drones are joined by faster, more scale-like electronic runs. The track finally gives way to a sparse, almost melodic finish. "Radiophonics II" continues the set with ominous bleeps and drones that vibrate, cut in and out of the mix, and, in the end, become a series of circular and ping-ponging bleeps.
"The title tracks are followed by the four part Buenos Aires Suite. The suite begins with "Atmosphere", a track which promises something less harsh, if not less intense, than what has preceeded it. The sounds are still dark and forbidding, but the attack on the listener is more subtle: the sharp cutting notes are replaced by drones of various pitches. The track ends with sparse sheets of sounds that become, without pause, "Elegy". "Streets" features low volumed murmers that seem to creep in and out of the mix, moving quickly from speaker to speaker (a technique that is characteristic of the soundscape). The beginning of "Sky" features something that is almost shocking at this point: the clear sound of a guitar. Eventually, the notes are blended into a fluid, more continuous sound that brings the album to a close.
"This soundscape is less reflective and meditative than those that follow it: we certainly cannot say that these works, if similar in technique, all "sound alike". Those who are interested in Fripp's more aggresive (nonrock) side will not be disappointed by this disc, and if I cannot recommend "Radiophonics" to everone, I certainly do recommend it to those who, like me, are fond of Fripp's work of this nature."
Date Submitted: 18-Dec-97
By: Marc Carlton (9703527c at student dot gla dot ac dot uk)
"Soundscapes, to put it lightly, are the very pinnacle of the musical artform. Radiophonics suggests to me a sense of 'higher communication' by means of the pure Soundscapes techniques. It is useless to pin style onto this recording, or to enter it with wishes for goodness or mastery-Soundscapes exist on their own, with the listeners help. When a clear state of listening is achieved, you will know it. Radiophonic 1 is a slow burning atmosphere of sound which disarms and stuns me into a strange state of welcome numbness, as I feel I myself becoming part of its flow. Radiophonic 2 is similar up to a point about 12 minutes in where Fripp introduces his trademark Soundscape panning from side to side, after a terrifying climax. The Buenos Aires Suite is very well structured, and its second part, Elegy, reflects the wonderful moments from A Blessing Of Tears. The final part of the Suite, Sky, is about the only finale I could have coped with, as it presents a more peaceful outlook on the mysterious turmoil of the previous tracks. Deciding what is the best of the 1995 series is very difficult, but Radiophonics is at the top of my fluctuating list more often than the others. This is a must, along with November Suite, if you feel that Fripp holds even more for you than even the sheer mastery of Crimson."
