Following their first release, the Duplo_Remote
vs. Cato split mini-album, earlier this year,
Derby-based Fast Flange Records present Sprungbrett,
first mini-album from Neat Little Boxes, aka Mark Rose.
Mark compiled this record after his former university
friend, Cato mastermind
James Campbell, mentioned his work to the Fast Flange
team. Originally planned as a five-track EP, Sprungbrett
features eight beautiful electronic compositions spread
over just thirty minutes.
Far from Cato’s
harsh sonic assaults, Rose investigates subtle soundscapes
on which acoustic and electronic instrumentations happily
share the stage, highlighting the melodic aspect of
his compositions over the technology that supports them.
With the opening two tracks, Rose sets the tone for
the rest of the album. As layers of beautiful sounds
develop into melodic lines, complex broken beat patterns,
often the harshest elements on offer on this record,
attempt to break the harmonious settings, yet remain
firmly under control. Later on, Mark injects a more
substantial touch of abstraction on Temper 1
& 2, re-establishing the balance on the
delicate and simple Cotton Reel and Balancing
Act, the later developing from an almost drone-like
melody into a more opened and structured shape in the
last minute. The album concludes with the most melodic
and emotionally charged moment in the shape of Key
To A Locked Box. Here, Rose manages to sum up the
various ambiences forming the core of Sprungbrett and
hints at a more mature and fully developed sound.
This album only provides a glimpse at Mark Rose’s
musical talent, yet it sets an interesting agenda for
his project and acts as a rather promising debut. Sprungbrett
remains focussed all the way through and shows some
exciting prospects and ideas, which, given the chance,
should flourish into a full Neat Little Boxes album
soon.
4.1/5 |
