SOIL & ECLIPSE
MERIDIAN ALBUM COP, SUBSPACE COMMUNICATIONS/PLAYGROUND RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 6, 1999 (SCANDINAVIA) REVIEW: OCTOBER 8, 1999 
Soil & Eclipse is a band from Hawaii. The singer Jay Tye is a singer practicing opera-like vocals. With a mixed outcome. Still, the band is electronic. There's no doubt this sounds like an interesting, or at least unlikely, combination on paper, but how does it really sound? Well, from time to time it is just as exciting as one can imagine, for instance in "Poetry of Angels" and "Exile". Here the high pitch voice is toned down a bit, giving more room for the dark, gothic, yet electronic music. "Poetry of Angels" is a very innovative piece, mixing synthpop, techno and gothic elements with a, to say the least, unique voice. And a typical synth chorus. The duo deserve some credit for bringing in new inspiration, lending aspects from genres not usually connected with the electro sector and their undeniable ability to write good songs. The moods of "Meridian" play a very important role, as the album is both pompous and complex musically. I still say it's gothic synthpop with a touch of techno, though. Need I say the voice gets a bit annoying after twelve tracks? Didn't think so. NIKLAS FORSBERG |
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