Review Summary: Grounds for Sculpture
Cell is an electronic artist that went under the radar following the release of his masterpiece, 'Hanging Masses'. It was released in 2009 on Ultimae records, a label known fro electronic ambient artists. Before I get into why this album is a masterpiece, I will first tell a brief story about why I feel this album effects me so much. From the moment I heard it, it was able to recreate a very wonderous place from my childhood right before me. Like magic.
This place is Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey. Taking several trips there as a kid from 2002-2005 totally challenged my notions of art and set forth in motion my ultimate career goal to become an illustrator. And what a fantasic place it was for a child. Peacocks roamed freely, and sculptural pieces would work with the surrounding nature and gardens of the facility. Not unlike the sculptural form featured on this album art. It was (and probably still is) a kind of heaven, if you will. Cell is able to effortlessly create optimistic urban music that exudes this kind of modern art vibe without trying. And the music that transpires as a result is some of the most invigorating electronic I've heard in all my life.
The sound of this album takes my brain back to those times, and they become clear. Cell crafts ambient music that evokes this urban, sunny futuristic sound brimming with life. What's impressive is that he does so with such spares percussion and additional instrumentation. Even though he often takes from bands like Talk Talk in the electronic compositions, they really achieve their goal and emit sunshine with every tone.
Its extremely rare I come across an artist like this from the Ultimae label. Many albums are great, but the true gems have to be seeked out. This here is something special. Its an album that I think was meant to embody a certain kind of sublime element. Something that makes us both hopeful for the cities of tomorrow and sentimental for the cities of the past.
