As opposed to other art forms, music in itself has one of the highest opportunities to reveal its evolution because of its reach. So see an art piece up front and personal you need to make an effort to leave your laptop and join the world within the environment of space. People depend on their music every day, as much of not more so than their triple lattes. What is appreciated is when musical artists take advantage of their positions, introducing us to other facets of their creative minds and hearts.
As a member of Front Line Assembly, Rhys Fulber could have easily riden the industrial chain train for many years to come. There are still Goths and Hot Topic shoppers that would have whole heartedly supported the pinnacle band broke ground on that genre in the late ‘80s. But he didn’t, and instead forged into delicate makings of Delirium, who went on to invade the ambient dance scene with the single “Silence” featuring a female vocalist who has catapulted other singles with electronic artists like BT, Sarah McLachlan.
Conjure One is yet another chapter in his history book, again utilizing guest female vocalists to weave in and out of the layered atmospheres that spark images of lush forests in far off planet, or a ride on the L-train in the dead of a Chicago winter. This fabric of his style immediately brought to mind a former Nettwerk band, Halou from San Francisco, whose performance at nightclub almost 10 years ago brought my friend and me into another space in time, rich with history, red velvet…something right out of Twin Peaks. I could envision Julee Cruise sipping a Manhattan at the bar as the stage glowed with Rebecca’s fragrant harmonies, Ryan’s futuristic instrumentation, and Mikael’s passionate beats.
A thread of his past does reveal itself on “I Believe,” with a more modern rock, electro cape of edginess. In vein of Cher and Madonna name stylings, Jane appears most on album, not only in the vocal sense but lyrically as well on “Endless Dream,” One Word,” and the album’s title track, “Extraordinary Ways.” Fulber also relies on others for lyrical contributions on Extraordinary Ways instead of forging into that territory himself, and with a few decades of songwriting under his belt, he obviously knows enough to pull together the right talent to orchestrate the makings of not only a solid album, but one that breaks away from any categorization.
p.s. If you enjoy this album, check out www.halou.com or their MySpace to listen to their latest tracks, www.myspace.com/halou. The band is no longer with Nettwerk but are still making great music.
