It’s been a very interesting musical journey for the Dark Villager so far. In his first Album (“Twisted”), and EP (“Wanted“), he highlighted his songwriting and arranging skills, and showcased his mastery over a diverse assortment of acoustic instruments, and electronic devices. “Disconnected” and later, “System” saw him gradually moving away from the acoustic, honing his skills with layering and enhancing electronic sounds, and experimenting with different styles and techniques. In “Another World”, he is further exploring his options, and pushing against the boundaries of his musical comfort zone.       Also known as Dr. Dark, and Ant, The Dark Villager produces his music from his home studio, which, for the bulk of this album was in his Living Room in an apartment in Kuwait City, which he shared with his wife and 3 children. Despite the challenges of juggling a full time job as a music teacher, and a young family, Ant has managed to produce an exceptional album, rich with a myriad array of diverse moods and emotions.       First and foremost, I want to say that the sound quality on this album is awesome, so if you like what you’ve been hearing on Ant’s MySpace page (www.myspace.com/thedarkvillager), and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/thedarkvillager), you will be blown away by this album. I was. I was already familiar with most of the tracks here, yet I am hearing a much richer, fuller quality, and many sounds I’d not heard before. I recommend using headphones at least once, for hearing all the subtle nuances within each piece.       “Another World” is a very strong album. Every single track on this musical palette is an incredible example on its own, and bears the brush-strokes of The Dark Villager's unique trademark touches.  His music usually (but not always) falls into one of 3 categories; full instrumentals, instrumentals enhanced with digitized vocal effects, and songs, where vocals are prominent. All three are represented in this album. Sandwiched between “Can You Wait?”, a deeply emotional, dark song at the beginning, and “This is the End”, a jazzy, almost upbeat finale, are 14 diverse tracks, covering a wide range of musical styles.       Take your pick; whether it’s the ominous, moody “Lost in Time”, the regimented, bouncy “Electrospasm”, “Breathe In”, with its vibrant, persistent tension, the driving boisterousness of “Come to Bed”, the bending, swirling sounds of “Therapeutic”, or the frenzied desperation of “The Meaning”, there is that ever-present luscious layering of sound, distinctive percussion, meticulous timing, and acute attention to detail.      His songs are as diverse in style and feeling, as they are in subject matter. The complex, edgy “Electronic Fly”, and lively, spacey “Another World” offer flights of fancy, and “Mr. Smith”, continues the saga that began with “Dr. Dark” in “System”.  Ant loves to experiment with digital vocalizations, as an enhancement to his music. In “Mr. Smith”, the tense, regimented music provides a perfect backdrop for each of the digitized vocal characters to shine in this musical vignette. “I Don’t Like You”, is another, with digitized and human vocals playing off of each other, and the ebullient music.       There are even a few selections for the romantics amongst us; “The Calming”, and “Light Within the Dark”. Both are beautifully constructed and presented with Ant’s ‘almost whispering’ vocals, giving them a haunting, sweet sound, and ethereal feeling. I think that “Light Within the Dark" has excellent potential as a single. “I Feel Your Heart” is an instrumental that also fits nicely within this group, with its lush percussion, lilting music, and sensitive, passionate feeling.       There are a couple of surprises here as well; interjections that make you stop and say, “What?!”.  There’s the alien babble, and that digitized spoken bit of trivia at 3:48 on “Another World” that I’m sure most die-hard DV fans will identify immediately, and the brilliant attention-getter at the beginning of “The Meaning”, where he sings the chorus backwards. He repeats this again near the ending for added emphasis. One can not help but wonder if it is ‘The Dark Machine’ from “Mr. Smith” giving us a prediction, and something to think about in “This Is the End” either.        After much thought and listening, I have to say the song that most jumped out at me is “Did You Do?”. The vibrant music and upbeat feeling, and Ant’s innovative use of a didgeridoo and simple, yet catchy vocals made this song really stand out for me.       The road ahead looks very promising for The Dark Villager. He is now permanently back home in the UK, and has already produced new music and video, and continues to reach out into new musical territory. He is also moving ahead in leaps and bounds with his video-producing skills. Most of the tracks on “Another World” have videos, which enhance and in many ways, explain the music. I have no doubt that we’ll be hearing - and seeing lots more from The Dark Villager, in interesting, and innovative ways.
                            Read more...