Ron Boots - Acouostic Shadows

This isn't an acoustic album at all. The title refers to a war time phenomena where the sound of a battle is heard in the distance, but not heard by those closer. As the sleeve notes state this is a CD tribute to all those who have died in numerous useless battles, and quite frankly how could war ever be described in any other way? Given it's subject matter (which to be honest made my heart sink, no matter how good the intentions), you might be forgiven for thinking that this is going to be a dull and sombre 70 minutes or so. The fact that it isn't is a tribute to Ron's mastery of the material he has produced, which is good enough to stand in it's own right. The Unknown Soldier starts us off, with a drum beat and heavy chords. Orchestral and electronic effects revolve the basic structure, and whilst is good and interesting it is a bit samey. Half way through the pace lifts, and the synth work from this point on is very impressive. A smattering of gun fire effects, electronics, and a voice describing the horrors of The Battle Of The Somme get this track underway. In the background a deep bass rumbles along in a rhythmic pattern, before becoming more prominent as an understated sequencer, and this is really quite moving. The sequencer picks up it's pace as the track progresses before becoming much more 'in yer face', and my feet are tapping away like crazy as I type this. I can picture this being played at the Space Centre! Washes of sound interact with the sequencer and this is really first class stuff. The pace then picks up even more as the sequencer threatens to run out of control, and I'm still only at the 10 minute mark! This lasts for a further 3 minutes before the sequencer eases right off, as it moves towards the finale. Wow. Next up is the title track. A strange looping rhythm morphs into a more percussive beat, and musically this is interesting stuff as there is a lot going on around that beat. It is difficult to describe this, but the synth work is really great, and on my headphones it sounds fantastic. Around the 8 minute 30 seconds point, musically it slows right down with a very deep bass, before a completely different rhythm sets in, with what I imagine are supposed to sound like acoustic drums. At the end of the piece a voice describes the phenomena of Acoustic Shadows, which should surely have been at the start of it? Assault lives up to it's name in spades. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security by that female voice. Sequencers, sequencers and yet more sequencers!!! To describe it as mad doesn't do it justice. Are you listening Christopher Franke? I haven't heard music as bonkers as this for years. A definite highlight. After 8 minutes of this Ron decides he needs a break so we have some space age synth work and more narrative, and then we flow into Desolate Fields. Washes of synths flow into another really lovely sequencer pattern, which sounded vaguely familiar (It actually reminded me of Blind Watchers of a Vanishing Night) and this is another great track. The firestorm of Dresden in 1945 is the last track. More narrative sets the perspective and electronics get us underway. This gives way to all sorts of percussive effects, and what appears to some sort of guitar. It's a busy piece, and again it's the overall rhythmic effect that impresses. This is a truly GREAT CD, one of the best I've heard this year. Don't let subject matter put you off, just buy it. SJS.