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Richard Barbieri Stranger Inside
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New from Porcupine
Tree’s keyboard master,
Stranger Inside is one of the most hypnotic,
engaging, and thoroughly unmechanical
electronica albums we’ve
heard in years. The disc begins with the
propulsive, jungle-ish “Cave,” which feels
partway between Nine Inch Nails’ “Head
Like a Hole” and retro Depeche Mode;
more mellow tracks like “All Fall Down”
build on ethereal acoustic piano and
evolve organically, thanks to a patient
compositional arc, well-placed samples
of children singing, and exceptional bass
playing by Danny Thompson. While many
producers stuff their rhythm grids to the
bursting point, every blip and ping
Richard uses has a purpose. For an electronic
album with a soul, look no further.
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