Max Richter (Has A New Album)
1 Comments Published by Keith on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 6:42 AM.
Max Richter's 2004 album The Blue Notebooks is a neoclassical masterpiece, and it was with great anticipation that I listened to his latest musical offering. 24 Postcards In Full Colour is, as you might expect from the title, a concept album. There are twenty-four short songs (the longest clocking in at 2:51; the shortest at 0:36), and each one represents an audio "postcard", as it were. Normally, when I listen to music, I have no knowledge of the song titles. With this album, however, knowing the song title can change your entire perception of the experience. It's astonishing how the images can be created in your mind simply by the music's connotations. Just as this idea is fascinating, the downfall of the album also comes with its concept. Since each song is rather short and disconnected from the others, it sometimes seems like a mixed up strewn-together mess of short musical ideas. One of Max Richter's strengths -- slowly developing a beautiful theme with intricate layers -- is completely lost here due to the short nature of the songs. Some songs are more minimalistic, which in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing. I just wish that these songs were more developed, that they were more cohesive. As it stands, it's an interesting, experimental record. But if you're new to Max Richter, I would not recommend starting here. I wouldn't have had the patience for it had I not already been in love with his previous work.24 Postcards In Full Colour will be released September 23rd via FatCat Records.
Max Richter - In Louisville At 7 (from 24 Postcards In Full Colour)
Max Richter - Circles From The Rue Simon - Crubellier (from 24 Postcards In Full Colour)
I haven't heard this yet, but it's a bit sad to hear that it's lost some cohesion. However it is nice that Richter is experimenting and I look forward to hearing it nonetheless.