Traveler Album Review

Traveller is a unique yet captivatingly beautiful album. It was birthed out of a collaboration between Peter Sheridan and Sherry Finzer. It is in complete contrast to the majority of Peter’s previous work. Yet it showcases the sounds of the Low flutes in a way that only Peter can.

Deliberate Listening

In order to fully immerse yourself in the sonorous soundscape, I recommend bunkering down with the best sound system you have access to. You will also need a freshly brewed pot of tea or your favourite wine. Next, you will need to turn up the bass and allow your mind to completely disappear into this alternative world. It is definitely not the sort of music to listen to while driving.

Your enjoyment of this album will largely depend on the frame of mind you’re in when you approach it.

The Music

Rhythmically the pieces are relatively free, with some compositions offering moments where there is no steadily discernible beat. Similarly, (with the exclusion of ‘Joy’) you’re not going to walk away with a tune or melody lingering in your head. Each track is built layer upon layer. They blend elements of eastern music, low flutes, percussion and atmospheric soundscapes into a Kaleidoscope of subtly changing repetitions. You are many times unsure of where one melodic idea ends and another begins.

I personally find the first track the most difficult to get into so do not let this put you off the remainder of the album.

‘Hunt on the Plains’ has, what is undoubtedly the most effective use of keyclicks I have ever encountered. Instead of this extended technique being employed simply for the sake of using an extended technique it forms the bedrock of the composition and in no way sounds weird or out of place.

Musically the strangest moment on the album happens towards the end of the last track ‘Joy.’ Up until this point, we have been enjoying a folk-like melody being performed on piccolo, which is juxtaposed by a single snare drum and a collection of low flutes. This captivating world is then suddenly interrupted by the ‘Yankee Doodle’ melody. After the ‘Yankee Doodle’ melody, the piece ends, leaving audience member like myself puzzled and unsure of what to think.

Despite the album stylistically sitting outside of the genres of ‘new music’ and ‘classical’ it is not so far removed from them that listeners won’t have a discernible framework to grasp at.

Where to Listen

The album is available on iTunes and Amazon. It is great for anyone looking for New Age music, music for meditation and relaxation or just something a little different.

P.S This is not an affiliated link. I just get frustrated when I read about a piece of music and then can’t find where to listen to it.

Album Available At
Amazon
iTunes

For further information about Peter Sheridan click here or for Sherry Finzer click here.

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