Album Details

• Artist: Erdem Helvacioglu
• Album: Altered Realities
• Label: New Albion
• Year of Release: 2006
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2007-10-20

If the name Erdem Helvacioglu doesn't ring a bell, it's most likely for one of two reasons; you don't follow electronic/ambient music, or you live under a rock. Apparently, not only in his native Turkey but world-wide, he's recieved massive amounts of critical acclaim and awards for his music. This CD is his most recent, released last year. Altered Realities is a noisy ambient experience, incorporating soft and subdued acoustic guitar as an accent to the pillowy strings, breezy synth melodies and an array of more diverse electric manipulations. The atmosphere is generally relaxed and care-free, but at times reaches Aphex Twin-esque chaotic climbs as sounds are thrown atop another in mishmashes of musical polar extremes. It's easy to recognize the dedication and creative imagination Erdem Helvacioglu brings to his music. The songwriting is a display in the "subdued chaos" method, creating an underpinning of foreboding emotion and terrible danger atop a light layer of sweetly scented air, a summer breeze on the brow of some unknown evil. At 7 tracks and lengths ranging from 6-8 minutes, Altered Realities creates many moods and generates enough tension to leave you wanting more but knowing you've gotten plenty.

This was my first time hearing Erdem and I'm sure it won't be my last. Check this out if you're a fan of Brian Eno's ambience projects, Aphex Twin or just experimental electronic music in general. 

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