Review: Autumn of Pækward - Cern

After the blast of unfettered psych of the last review, it's time to chill with some something a tad more relaxed and cerebral. Autumn of Pækward is the sonic vehicle for one Jochen Koch, a denizen of Leipzig who has an overriding interest in the whole arena of sound. 'Cern' is a "project of sound and composition" based around The European Organization for Nuclear Research (or rather Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire), the European research organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world - an original and interesting concept around which to base an album. Tonzonen records have given this a release, a limited press of 500 (200 black & 300 clear vinyl) which come with a download code, poster and sticker....bargain!

'Canteen' opens the album with some luscious drones and delicate electronica. An ethereal female voice, slightly back in the mix, is introduced and genuinely sent shivers down my spine (it reminded me of some This Mortal Coil's material) - ghostly but beautiful. The drones and synths match the eidolic vocals perfectly and, overall, give the track a desolate beauty all of it's own. It sure sounds different from any canteen I've ever been in. 'Wardrobe' takes a different approach, beginning as it does with almost industrial sounding effects before some lush swathes of synths start building over a pulsing electronic rhythm - it's all very Tangerine Dream, which, in this reviewers opinion, is very high praise. A female spoken voice gives a brief narration about Cern itself after which things get a bit melancholic....mournful strings convey a feeling of sadness or loss. This melancholia is added to by simple piano notes and electronic effects. 'Director's Office' (I love how the tracks have all got mundane, ordinary titles in an album about one of the most hi-tech buildings on the planet...it brings a touch of humanity about the place). A long continuous drone underpins more sci-fi effects but all in a very ambient and chilled manner. It has a very neo-krautrock feel about it - it could have come straight from the Berlin school. Garbled spoken voice samples are introduced that immediately change the dynamic...the track moves from chilled ambience to science fiction soundtrack, a move furthered by the introduction of guitar that still manages to maintain an early seventies kraut feel...great stuff! 'Cupboard' begins with distant noises before ominous sounding synths start to build the track. Again, it has a very 'soundtrack' feel to things. At the halfway mark another sampled voice can be heard before the foreboding atmosphere is once again built up...I don't know what they keep in that cupboard, but I hope it never gets out. 'Attic' is another track initially straight from seventies Berlin....but as it grows and evolves you get the feeling that something is afoot. Drums are introduced and the tempo is upped considerably and has an almost post-rock feel until things come to standstill and then the post-rock sees the track out...an unexpected twist in the Cern tail. The last track, 'Collider (the only track with a obvious Cern-related title), begins with more effects - the sort of noises one would expect from the collider...'wooshes' and swoops of sound...before a plaintive piano sets up another atmosphere of melancholy. This is probably the most straightforward ambient piece on the album...but very accomplished and atmospheric ambient. Towards the end of the track more female vocals are introduced which are just as beautiful and ethereal as before.

'Cern' is as good an ambient album as you will hear...chilled, atmospheric and, at times, beautiful. But it is more than an ambient album...it is structured like a suite of orchestral works and so perhaps should be looked upon as 'neo-classical' or perhaps we don't need to put it in a category at all but rather enjoy it for what it is...a body of work that is technically brilliant and superbly brought to life. 'Cern' is available from the Tonzonen shop and the download can be bought via the Autumn of Pækward Bandcamp page here (and while you are there, be sure to check out the first album 'Iktsuarpok').