Riverside
Eye of the Soundscape

In theory, it is an album of remixes, bonus tracks, and unreleased material, but in practice, it is in every respect a true album... it is certainly more interesting than the last two albums! This is the truth about the latest release from the Polish band Riverside.

The announcement of an upcoming release with ambient and electronic features intrigued me quite a bit. Those who know me and read my work know very well by now that I am always the one seeking courage, change, experimentation, etc., one of the reasons why I greatly appreciated “Anno Domini High Definition”; and it was clear that when I heard such an announcement, I knew that even though it was composed of already previously unreleased material (but never listened to by me as I'm quite shy about bonus tracks and little bits that inflate albums), it would definitely be more interesting than the last two works, which I consider not very courageous, especially the last one, which although beautiful seemed essentially a softer/Pink Floyd/Cure/Anathema version of the old Riverside.

“Eye of the Soundscape” is thus a little gem, with a well-identified musical orientation but quite varied in its solutions and sounds. The inspiration is tangible, and I feel like considering it an almost essential work in the group's discography, not just a simple collector's item.

The tracks adhere to a common denominator but present various influences. “Where the River Flows” sounds nocturnal and futuristic in its tones while retaining much of the expansive bass and guitar lines typical of the group. The title track and the two “Night Sessions” have an imprint almost close to German cosmic music; part 1 even recalls Tangerine Dream’s “Phaedra” and “Rubycon” due to the long and repetitive electronic loops, part 2 features an intelligent sax accompanying the subtle noises and effects. More rhythmic and slightly pop-ish electronics in “Sleepwalkers,” more pushed and traditional in “Machines.” There is also an acoustic track, “Promise,” which deviates from the album's style.

“Eye of the Soundscape” is not just any work, it is not merely a collector's item; it is an intense and engaging trip of over an hour and a half, vaguely psychedelic, even a little unsettling, to be listened to and experienced intensely. But at the same time, it also proves to be relaxing and dreamy.

If you have snubbed it or even forgotten about it, give it a try!