The 2,000th post here — nearly done now.
I was intrigued by Aqua for the best part of two decades before I got it, because it's one of the tiny niche of albums in my collection that uses binaural "artificial head" recording. The others are Outward Sound Ensemble, BBC Relaxing Sounds and maybe one track on Oak Ash Thorn. But what clinched the purchase was seeing the CD for only £3 in Fopp.
The artificial head listening experience is far from breathtaking. The same goes for the music, which sounds Tangerine Dream when their imagination is slightly below par. The solo album by a member of a band with a distinctive sound is a curious beast: how much will the individual break from the template when given free rein? People like Bill Bruford or, more controversially, Phil Collins suggested that they had musical identities quite distinct from their respective bands. Others like The Edge have taken the opportunity to indulge in leftfield niches. But Froese suggests that, freed from the expectations of Tangerine Dream and the demands of other members, he wouldn't change a thing.
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