Garden Music Project: Inspired By Syd Barrett's Artwork

Anyone who is a fan of Pink Floyd knows the name Syd Barrett, one of the band's founding members. When I first got hold of Garden Music Project's debut album I was definitely intrigued. Both the title – Inspired By Syd Barrett's Artwork and the process of making the album – "a challenging venture created by Adriana Rubio using Synesthesia work" had me more than a little curious. A little more research has helped to shed some light on the topic. According to an on-line dictionary synesthesia is "the production of a sense impression relating to one sense or part of the body by stimulation of another sense or part of the body." Okay, now I get it. Without getting too technical it's using someone's creative output, in this case artwork, and utilizing that to create something truly inspirational. I suppose this is just another method of following one's muse. So what about the band and their music?

In the band are Fabrizio Gamba (keyboards, synthesizers), Alexander Ditzend (guitars, lead vocals), Stefan Ditzend (bass, saxophone) and Nicolas Saganias (drums, percussion). The project was created, written and composed by Adriana Rubio.

I have to say this music is quite the head trip. If you like retro '60s psyche I think you will find much to enjoy here.

The album begins with "Garden" with repeating psyche inflected guitar lines and a softer keyboard interlude. There is a certain "English" feel which I really like. "Squares, Lines & Polygons" is more deliberate, much like the shapes it describes, and heavier with wistful keys and an atmospheric guitar solo to match. "Isolation" is a little more sparse with peaceful sections interspersed with heavier keys and cutting guitar lines. "Transformation" is one of the more adventurous tunes starting with edgy keys and a steady drum beat. The music builds then eases eventually leading to a cacophonic collage of sounds, quite trippy and discordant. The sax is put to good use here.

Aside from the unusual process in making this album there really isn't anything groundbreaking here but I always find it refreshing to hear one of my favourite musical eras revisited. The bottom line is the band does a very good job instilling late '60s psyche into the modern era. If you are interested in the music/artwork of Syd Barrett you should definitely give this one a listen.

Track Listing:
1. Garden
2. Squares, Lines & Polygons
3. Isolation
4. Transformation
5. Bullying
6. My Ladies
7. Leaving Home
8. Crime Scene (To the Memory of Doctor Arthur Barrett)
9. Coliseum
10. Tour Bus
11. Bridge
12. Self Portrait

Added: October 6th 2014
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 1861
Language: english

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