Review by: Kris Tilbury
Sam Rosenthal's "As Lonely as Dave Bowman" is quite unlike any of the rock-based music he has produced with his gothic band Black Tape for a Blue Girl. Unlike the sorrowful and sometimes vengeful songs that make up many of his BTFABG albums, this music takes the listener down a dark ambient path that is more contemplative and free-flowing.
These five pieces are influenced by the films 2001: The Space Odyssey and 2010: The Year We Make Contact.
The first piece is a slow moving drone that wraps you in a cold and comfortless embrace. You cannot escape this embrace once it has you in its arms.
The stench of death and desolation that was once so far away from you is edging ever closer, touching your fingertips and and the roots of your hair. Your skin tingles and turns a sickly shade of pale grey; the sun that shines like gold suddenly hides behind frozen, black clouds.
The clouds slowly begin to separate a bit on the second track, as we once again catch transient glimpses of the glittering orb that fade into a round, white moon. The sky grows darker, and the night breeze blows gently through the trees. At first, it is soft and inviting, like a lover who whispers your name in a sweet, mellow tone, then it begins to lie low in the grass, as if waiting to confront an old adversary. It cuts deep into your chest like screaming knives, and then you are left alone to bleed in the grass.
Track 3 is a more peaceful track, but still carries a message of sorrow.The piece starts out bright and colorful in some areas, but then is conquered by the endless night. The stars and moon are right above you, watching your every move, your every painful groan...
They still continue to glisten like diamonds in a pool of water, but they now have come in contact with human's suffering, and this suffering starts to extinguish their glow.
They tremble now before the world. The music grows less intense as the stars burn out, one by one.
Track 4 is a transition from all of this intensity. The stars have died, and the moon weeps for her loss of her companions.There is no longer any reason to be afraid, but there is a reason to be sad. A silent funeral is going on, and you will be the only one who mourns the loss of the world. The track fades out very slowly, offering a few snatches af melody here and there.
Track 5 is another drone-like piece that lifts drastically at the end. There is not much to be said about this one except that it is a perfect conclusion to such an ominous soundscape.
I must say that I am impressed by what Sam has done with his music. I've often heard that musicians that write for bands are often not as adept at creating expansive solo albums, but in this case he has done an excellent job with this dark ambient project. He is able to incorporate song structure in with electronic manipulation, which makes for an interesting combination!
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