An Empty Bliss Beyond This World

Well, I respect it more than I like it. I'm glad the submitter submitted it though. I'm just not sure it's a music album, rather than an art project.

I'm surprised this is included instead of Everywhere at the End of Time, but I'm glad for that mercy, I didn't have six hours to spare. If I didn't already know the reputation, I don't know if I would have loved this so much, but as it is I can only give it top marks.

I really like the concept for Everywhere at the End of Time, and as a precursor to that project this is a nice little example of that six hour behemoth. Of course, I also can't stand the discussion of that project, as people are either far too childish about it, or treat it as the second coming of Christ. It is a solid Hauntology/Ambient record that you'll enjoy if you like those sorts of albums (Boards of Canada, Weather Forecast, etc, etc) but it's certainly gotten more spectacle surrounding it online than it ever needed. Anyway, supposed to be talking about this album, but how do you when it really is just that project before that project? This album is good, it has a neat concept, and the mixing is top notch, but, no pre-teens, it will not give you dementia, and everyone else, this album is not just a filter over pre-WWII tracks. And that one guy in the reviews calling the sampled tracks "50s music," Uh... what? Anyway, all of that is to say, good add!

Today's album is OUT THERE! The album is based on a study regarding people with Alzheimer's disease being able to remember music they listened to when they were younger, as well as where they were and how they felt when listening to it. Dude who made this album bought up a bunch of pre-WW2 ballroom records, and created this dreamscape record.

It heavily features the crackle of a phonograph as well as samples of old ballroom music. The music comes into and out of focus, kind of like you're standing outside a bar in downtown pre-war New York. You're close enough to hear the music muffled and just out of focus, but every now and again someone opens the door and you get shots of clear music, all while maintaining a steady phonograph crackle. I can see how these kinds of sounds would trigger memory in old folks with Alzheimer's.

This is the weird shit that should be on this list. Will I revisit this album again.....probably not......am I glad it exists.....absolutely.

Favorite songs: Libet's Delay

Least favorite songs: I Feel As If I Might Be Vanishing

2/5

In my opinion, Everywhere at the End of Time is his true masterpiece and should be here instead. I enjoy this album though as a sort of appetizer version when I can't commit hours on end to listen to EATEOT. Caretaker's style is so hauntingly beautiful and dark.

The kind of music that plays on a gramophone in a horror video game. I usually like this kind of stuff (I'm a huge Pye Corner Audio/The House in the Woods fan), but I was just waiting for it to do something, anything, and that moment never came.

Very cool take on ambient music—sounds like it's being recorded and played in a smoky lounge that's in a deep underground cavern for some reason

I've heard this album before, a real triumph of artistic vision and fucking freaky reality. A complete masterpiece.

Ambient meets big band, but turns out better than it might have done. Flawless production work - even the crackle and hiss serves to show just how old (and age damaged) the original records are. The sonic degradation also acts as a proxy for the fallibility of the human memory, and as a surprisingly moving reminder that none of the vocals were recorded more recently than about 1940.
The jump between songs surprised me initially, but again can be thought of as an allegory for the way your mind jumps between thoughts and feelings - there isn't always a smooth transition there either.
I'm still not a huge ambient fan, but this nearly got me turned around.

Hey, OP, did this album "break" you? Did you traumabrag on Reddit about it?

Meh didn’t really get this one, found it very boring very quick.