Millimetre

CD - Obsidian

Play 90 second soundbite of 'Yew' @ 'CD quality'

First things first - Millimetre is the, it has to be said, 'inspired' brainchild of Irish singer-songwriter Terence J McGaughey. Next, McGaughey's own descriptions of his intelli-pop music is given as "experimental/rock/electronica" or, which I prefer, "blurred feral dreampop". The latter a quite brilliant observation of Millimetre's stunningly original work.

'Obsidian' truly is inspirational! Imagine King Crimson mixed with Terry Riley mixed with Peter Gabriel - coz that's what's in my head at the moment. Although it isn't quite that, if you put those names into the framework of "blurred feral dreampop", I hope you kinda get the idea.

'Obsidian' by Millimetre is a totally absorbing lo-fi-ish kinda thing. Brilliant in it's simplistic conception. Stunning in it's evocative possibilities. Breathtaking in it's execution. Yep, I really like this album!! And, more than that, I really like what McGaughey is doing here with sound and texture; he's making something that sounds sorta complex outa things that are essentially quite simple, even ordinary. But, 'Obsidian' is by no means ordinary! It can be dark, it can be dreamy, it can be a bit scary! But, above all, 'Obsidian' is just gorgeous to just sit and drift with as McGaughey gives the listener plenty of scope to interpret his music - it is whatever you want it to be or it can be what you let McGaughey make it! Whatever way you take it, it's superb in all its simplistic complexity!

Musically 'Obsidian' is a little 'out there' but without totally losing touch with convention. McGaughey's voice is unusual but irritatingly compelling. Cleverly, the vocals tend to become just another instrument in the mix - the lyrics tending to come to you slowly from within rather than being up-front and in-yer-face - it works well and adds character and interest to the whole 'Obsidian' experience.

Millimetre isn't gonna take the album charts by storm with 'Obsidian' - this is too grand, too clever for general popular consumption - this is music for the discerning muso who loves to be challenged and wants to be transported by the artist. 'Obsidian' isn't yer average dreamscapes electronica, 'Obsidian' is much more manic, much more spiky, much more mind-crushing than mind-altering. 'Obsidian' is something that John Peel (RIP) would've got off on big-style. 'Obsidian' by Millimetre is like nothing else - 'Obsidian' is rewarding in its originality and encouraging in its vision. Excellent indeed!!

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