"Lagerstätte" by Cochrane is an exceptional music album that examines the boundaries of sound, exploring the realm of electroacoustic music. In paleontology, a Lagerstätte refers to a sedimentary deposit containing exceptionally well-preserved fossils. The literal translation of Lagerstätte is "storage place." The name serves as a metaphor not only for the music on this album but for music and art as a whole. Art is the best vessel to preserve the ideas and beliefs of our time, and without a doubt, Cochrane McMillan’s album contains unique, well-crafted, and perhaps timeless pieces of music.
Lagerstättes are notable because they often preserve fine details of organisms, including soft tissues that are rarely fossilized. The unique cover artwork of the album showcases some fossilized organisms with artistic patterns, resembling a blend of accidental art, like Jackson Pollock’s works, and graffiti, a cross over between different ideas and styles, just like the music in the album.
The music itself is immensely brilliant. My favorite track is the opening piece of the album featuring Erik Deutsch, “The Roiling Cells.” This track presents an atmospheric soundscape, combining electronic sounds and whispers of an instrument that seems to be some kind of zither, blending old and new, East and West.
“The Cat, The Muse,” featuring Mason Perrett, is the second piece, a more somber track with a distorted timbre leading the melody. This ambient-like track, with its subtle guitar arpeggios and extensive percussion section, has a curious mood, with a harmonic progression that never resolves and keeps the audience on their toes, eager to explore.
The third track, “Future Name,” is the most conventional piece of the album. Featuring Erik Deutsch and Davey Diamonds Odell, this piece is an absolute delight. With its chill beats and ambient atmosphere, the ten-minute track feels surprisingly short.
The album ends with “Dad Song,” featuring Robert Cheek. This mysterious-sounding piece includes a catchy percussion part and interesting layered synths. It reminds me of the height of the electronic music era, something from the Jean-Michel Jarre category. This piece experiments with synths and their abilities to bend the conventional soundscape and because of its style, it sounds nostalgic as well.
In my opinion, "Lagerstätte" is true to its name. These four pieces of music, with their crossover styles between different genres and eras, create a gem, a storage of art and beauty, waiting for you to listen to and enjoy.
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