Review Summary: The best music to fall asleep to and perhaps wake up to.
Music as a means of emotional and psychological transportation is both an intriguing and evasive aspiration for many artists. The realization of such endeavors often proves to be elusive, if not entirely out of reach. The most interesting dilemma with music as a means of transportation is the apparent use of various vehicles for the journey. The sheer ferocity of Black Metal somehow manages to transport the listener into a realm of serenity that frankly seems uncharacteristic of what that genre should be able to achieve. Ambient music is able to accomplish the same effect, perhaps to an even greater degree, yet this is accomplished by the use of different ingredients. The lush synths, the deep, rumbling bass, and the minimalistic piano keys that lightly traverse above this cacophony effortlessly change the reality before you.
It is impressive how distinct yet very similar ambient artists are. Both Global Communication and William Basinski implement loops in their music. However, the sequence and focus are altogether different. In fact, these two artists do not even sound remotely comparable. And yet, the atmosphere that these artists create is equally palpable and may even invoke the same emotions.
Moreover, the mentioning of William Basinski is particularly useful in helping you understand how different and unique Global Communication is. Whereas Basinski uses minimalist loops that subtly change tempos to lower the listener into deeper depths of serenity, Global Communication's music acts more akin to a steady wave. Although these waves can be easily predicted, each wave is unique in height and depth. Every ebb and flow creates an exciting yet soothing experience. In other words, 76:14 is ambient music that is more than background music.
76:14 also unravels in stages. The waves are still present; however, the conditions of this ocean are subject to change. For example, the first three tracks have the waters under a slow brewing storm. Thus, the comparison to Basinski may be more warranted. Track four has the clouds dispersed and invites the sun to shine again. This transition is astoundingly distinct from what you heard in the first three tracks, and this is due to the introduction of melody. The first 27 minutes of this album are abstract, but you can bop your head rhythmically to the beats once you reach the fourth track. At this point of the review, Global Communication may sound disjointed, perhaps even jarring, but you will find that this change is welcoming. The best way to describe it is that 76:14 is gently waking you up, and you will find that you feel invigorated. Global Communication has effectively created the equivalent of a Porsche 911 for musical transportation.
