Pieter Nooten - Here is Why
- by Paul Downey Release Date:2010-09-27 Label: Rocket Girl
The problem with 80s artists making a comeback, is usually that their sound will be completely out of step with modern day music. Sometimes this can be forgiven as creative genius, or the moulding of something abstract and unique.
Sadly this is not the case for Pieter Nooten (formerly of 80s band Clan of Xymox) on his latest album Here is Why. In parts the instrumentals are quite poignant and beautiful, but by half way through the track listing, the repetitive sound becomes quite predictable as every sound starts and ends the same.
The variation between tracks is only really distinguished by instrumental tracks such as 'Glow' and 'Cold Water', while other tracks use the vocals of Yvetter Winkler. Unfortunately, her voice more often than not is possibly too powerful for the sombre and ambient sounds.
It is clear that Nooten went into the studio with a direct vision for his project, and his project alone; he has confessed that he doesn't listen to modern music which is maybe one of the reasons the record doesn't have any flow to it.
No one is expecting a dance floor monster from Nooten, but some variation in sound and themes in the tracks would have been appreciated. The themes explored here such as 'Darkened Haven', 'Lonely', 'Gone Gone' become almost pitiful by the closing track, as the record is clearly meant to depict a dark place in the mind. This is something it achieves at least.
Here is Why can safely be put in the 'background music' section, which in itself tells you all you need to know about it.
