The Grand Ah-Whoom: An Immersive Soundscape by Creatures of the Edge
2 min read
When Creatures of the Edge record a tune, it is never merely a song; it is an anticipated event that is waiting to be unveiled. The Grand Ah-Whoom hits right on the spot when it comes to this notion, with the story providing an adventure not only on the cusp of reality and imagination, but within a fantastic dress that fits smoothly and comfortably. Almost immediately, it contains the clue of a beating heart, the feeling of moving into the unfamiliar territory where textures live and beats move. The beginning is quite filmy in its ambience of waiting. The layers of atmospheric textures take their time to come into existence around the hypnotic grooves, which begin to increase in thickness with each passing second. Considerable polish is present, with crystal clear production levels, but the rough edges are deliberately included, akin to brushstrokes on a sonic canvas that encourages the listener to get closer to see the details. It is the combination of these two extremes, precision and raw creativity, that has come to be the hallmark of Creatures of the Edge, and The Grand Ah-Whoom is a masterclass in such applications. The song also toys with contrasts: percussive, manic energy begs against eerie and almost ethereal synth lines drifting in and out, as though they were distant rumours in the night. Small differences avoid the predictability of the rhythm and introduce tension and release in ideal proportions. The music has been evolving and progressing, but still has room to allow the listeners to interpret it according to their own interpretations.
There is nothing blatant about the vocals here to stoke emotion, nor is there anything blatant about the narrative to have your hand held. Instead, The Grand Ah-Whoom spreads on suggestion, atmosphere, and mood. It leaves you space to experience, space to meander, space to become lost in its patterns and pulses. This freedom transforms the song into more than a passive listening procedure–it turns out to be a personal experience. By the time the last reverberations are complete, you have realized that this song was not about arriving somewhere. It is all about the trip between the sounds which are courageous yet quiet, well developed yet not pompous, perky but not limited. Like footprints on the fringe of some wonderfully unexplored place, the Grand Ah-Whoom long survives its termination.
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