I’m listening to an old favorite on a warm rainy Wednesday morning. It’s one of those albums that continues to grow on you even after the 100th listen. BT’s “This Binary Universe”. If I need a mood lifter this one worth putting in. It requires active listening to fully appreciate. (particularly in surround sound with the accompanying DVD / videos).
My oldest loves this album particularly the video for Dynamic Symmetry that features animated flying robot birds. It’s an eclectic combination of electronic, classical, jazz, glitch, and trance.
It combines music from a full orchestra that morphs with electronics, piano and a jazz ensemble. It is completely instrumental and the music speaks volumes more than what a vocal or lyric could produce.
The first track was composed not by ear, but coded completely in C++ (a programming language) in csound. Ironically, it’s titled “All That Makes Us Human Continues”.
Not to mention that there are elements in the songs that contain hidden meanings in mathematical code which appeals to the geek in me.
It reminds me of some of the music I grew up with as a little kid – nods to Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter – as well as cutting edge electronics that I obsess over now. The final track nearly made me weep when I first heard it. It’ s warm and nostalgic and reminded me of my kids. It wasn’t a surprise to find out later that it was written as a lullaby for his daughter.
Anyone who is a fan of music, all genres aside, should listen to this album. I can’t say enough good things about it.
I’m off to brew some coffee and start my day.
Cheers.
