Shadow Orchestra - Shadow Orchestra

Boldly pushing the boundaries of laptop music, composer/producer Chris Bangs and his four-piece orchestra have created one of the most genuinely uplifting and invigorating albums in years. Fusing the crystalline, jagged electronics of Keiran Hebden with live drums, guitar, violin, and harp, the Shadow Orchestra spiral and swoop through ten pieces of warm, richly-textured melody that rise and fall like flocking birds. Though there's distinct artistic leanings within the group (Chris composed the soundtrack for the play Backpacker Orpheus), Shadow Orchestra made their name at the Big Chill festival, and a sunny, 'tents, drugs, and rock 'n' roll' feeling pervades the album. When the grimey, sub-bass and skewed electro-noise of Dark and Sweet kicks in, this hands-in-the-air stuff can seems a little over-polished in comparison. However, Shadow Orchestra is a carefully crafted, aesthetically pleasing record imbued with a touching sense of melody and killer tunes. [Liam Arnold]