Posted on: December 31, 2010 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

“Maple” may just be one of the most annoying openings for a CD; the repletion and brash arrangements that are such a hallmark for the track do maintain some semblance of a melody, but it is lost in much of the track’s chaos. Continuing with the incredible amount of repetition for “It’s The Wine”, Pattern Is Movement seem to be expressing themselves in a seventies vein, almost as the Kinks had a few studio sessions with Wendy Carlos. Simplistic lines are the story of this album, and the herky-jerky vocal delivery on the track makes songs like “It’s The Wine” an odd, but fitting candidate for the dance floor. The first track that truly finds a brand of intense catchiness is “Never Liked This Time Of Day”. This track uses arrangements that have more than a passing glance toward musical numbers like “Singin’ In The Rain” and romantic French tracks (from the fifties), while still continuing brash and oddly-fitting arrangements for space filler.

The socialization curve that is necessary for individuals to acclimate themselves to Pattern is Movement’s music is daunting, to say the least. However, more traditional (less out there) tracks like “2 Voices For 2 Sections” may just be the best way to introduce individuals to Pattern is Movement. The logical leaps that the band has listeners complete during the earlier tracks of “Stowaway” has been replaced with a more fleshed-out arrangement (instead of stopping one style and moving to a different style, there seems to be more effectual transitions in the band’s music).

There is a good cohesion to the bulk of tracks on “Stowaway”, which is to say that when one puts on any of the tracks from this CD they will be immediately aware that Pattern is Movement created the track, but the tracks themselves are not carbon copies of each other, allowing listeners to enjoy the entire disc without fear of ennui. The various interludes cut down the number of tracks to effectively nine, but this is more than enough for Pattern is Movement. Tracks tend to go on for a delightfully long time; it is most likely the case that Pattern is Movement despite all their use of repetitious arrangements is capable enough to tweak later re-iterations in such away to keep things interesting. A challenging listen, to be honest but one that shows the band has indeed progressed since their EP from about a year ago.

Top Tracks: Talk Back To Me, Two Voices For Two Sections

Rating: 6.1/10

Pattern Is Movement – Stowaway / 2005 NFI / 12 Tracks / http://www.patternismovement.com / http://www.nfilabel.com / Reviewed 11 September 2005

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