The most subtle of rhythms, the most subtle of melodies; at once
peacefully recoiling in from itself like a delicate spider's web
blowing in the cool evening breeze - then suddenly breaking free from
its earthly supports.
To elucidate the artistic measures in which Holmes Ives composes would
best be explained though the capable words of an experienced poet.
Then let it be so as New Zealand artist/poet Sophie Moleta pairs with
the noted progressive composer (Ives), and the ensuring work
eventually gives way to this full-length album entitled "Untie Me."
The album blankets the entire playing field of Sophie's emotion,
imagination, and creativity - not to say that this utterly in-depth
artist has completely exhausted her soul (I doubt that could be
possible). You see, this is not Sophie's first work, nor will it be
her last. Like Holmes, Sophie is no stranger to the sprawling world of
electronica. Over a half-dozen full-length works are credited to the
artist, as well as her smash single "Love Has Come Again" being
featured on several renowned compilations from Ministry of Sound,
Renaissance, and more. Holmes' testimony of works is no less
noteworthy. Having produced dozens of full-length albums and smashing
dance singles, his monikers Memnon, Oko Tek, HDI, and Perceptual Outer
Dimensions have found their way onto labels such as Bedrock,
Yoshitoshi, Release, Caffeine, Koch, Renaissance, and many more - not
to mention Holmes' own OVA imprint in 2005.
"Untie Me" begins. The unrestrained mixture of Holmes' ambient and
beautifully filtered noise flutters about as the soft bellowing of a
lone cello weeps deeply. Sophie's own voice is then heard, slowly
stumbling through thoughts and poetry in rhythmic progression with the
evolving under-percussion. "…Not so easy - 12,000 miles - and the
aftermath of each conversion - opening, opening, opening…"
This album cries with an absolute intensity of pain and longing - yet
closing in on itself for embrace and reassurance. Selections such as
"Awaken," "Clouds," and "Big Healing" echo with Sophie's melodic
prose, as Holmes accents each verse with dripping downtempo
electronica. Both artists labor effortlessly as each composition
swells with intensity, eventually succumbing to passionate stillness.
The tranquility of "Hide and Seek" drones with an underlying
seriousness and strength; the verse echoes of poetic eternity.
Sophie & Ives continues the journey with mirror-rippled restructurings
of the previous works. The rhythmically downtempo "Untie Me (Reprise)"
is an instrumental ode to the former, yet the delicate "Awaken (The
Heart)" hears Sophie's fragile words as if they were long past
memories - or echoes in a dream. "Clouds (Storm Clouds)" rumbles deep
within, and eventually swells into a grooving trip-break before
exhausting. "Big Healing (Heal The Goddess) is an ever evolving
navigation of ghostly conversations, synthetic artistry, and an
evocative melody. Waving from the shoreline of this dreamlike
experience is the faint murmur of Clouds (Suspended In The Air).
All of these selections play upon the other as if they were chess
pieces on a gaming board, one overtaking the next until absolutely
expiring themselves. By the end of the album (and I am sure this
lengthy overview) the listener is exhausted - and Sophie's vocals
still echo in the mind.
