Release Date: 2004 (Europe), 2006 (US)
Label: Infacted (Europe), Van Richter Records (US)
Tranquil places is not a new album, originally released in Europe during 2004 and the US in 2006. For some years, the band went on hiatus as Manuel G. Richter and Gregoire Vanoli pursued other projects. Manuel co-produced Anne Clark’s “The Smallest Acts Of Kindness” and worked on his side project Xabec. Some time during late 2007 or early 2008, the band reactivated, entering the studio once again. With an album due for release in the near future (the duo tight lipped on details of a release date and album name) it is timely that we take a look at this album.
Tranquil Places is melancholia articulated by clear unadulterated vocals, trance-synthpop arrangements incorporating elements of our favourite softer electronic genres. Loud and Clear, the albums opening track, is an upbeat bopy dance track that may lead you dangerously astray for what comes next. Loud and Clear is a great song but a fish out of water down-temp dance track that sits awkwardly as the albums introduction. With a strong beat and a lazy sunny sound, one could easily trance out on the dance floor grinning like a happy kid. Loud and Clear is youths innocence’s yet to be crushed by the reality of existence or the weekend escapist‘s flight from.
Welcome To The World, the albums second track, could easily have been the opener with a silky dark arrangement that embraces the smooth articulate vocals offering delicious social criticism, not in a revolutionary way but as a neutral glimpse of contemporary western society. Following on from Welcome To The World is I Prepare, an ambient introspective instrumental painted with panning ethereal pads and a soft pulse.
Leaving Home incorporates some EBM influences with some brief distorted beats and genre synth programming. Again, an introspective trance track. I Will Fly picks up the pace a bit with lively drum programming and a tasty mix of groves hinting at the albums most dance oriented track, Survive. This energetic dark IDM track will get you excited and moving.
Overall, Tranquil Places, can be seen as a conscious thinking person’s journey through life. Tranquil Places are the havens and times for reflective introspection. Tranquil Places is life expressed through creative IDM.
If you are a fan of Liquid Divine you will most likely like this album. At times the similarities between the two bands are so close you will find yourself, when recommending Underwater Pilots to friends, saying something like, “Liquid Pilots“…. Fans of bands like Massive Attack, Covenant and so many other trance, EBM, and ambient bands should also check this out.
Score: 5/5
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