
Heat Ray
WILL GREGORY MOOG ENSEMBLE
Heat Ray: The Archimedes Project (Mute)
Heat Ray: The Archimedes Project is the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble’s debut album after nearly 20 years of intermittent activity. Formed by Will Gregory – co-founder, synth player and producer in Goldfrapp, though less recognisable to most than the duo’s vocalist – this new work, built around analogue synthesisers played by a baker’s dozen of musical cohorts, was inspired by Ancient Greek mathematician Archimedes and also features the BBC National Orchestra Of Wales.
At a little over 35 minutes, Heat Ray is a relatively short album and one which can easily become background music if not listened to with intent; to that end, I chose to partake via headphones in a darkened room. Opening track Young Archimedes sets the scene and takes the listener from light to dark and back again; Circles And Pi is cinematically dramatic, refined crashes of strings and brooding electronics. A hint towards club-friendly sonics crops up in The Claw; Archimedes Screw has a brisker tempo and playful sense of rhythm.
Regrettably, stretches of this album simply don’t leave a lasting impression; I found myself waiting for some elevation, some emotion that never came. Heat Ray has the potential to soar but doesn’t quite get going.
words LYNDA NASH