"...frigid constructs are understated yet compelling."
author: Chuck van Zyl
On Glacial (48'14"), M Peck strikes an interesting balance between free-form impressionism and sonic narrative. His frigid constructs are understated yet compelling. Over the course of the eight tracks, Peck offers plenty of ice and frost, but also air and light. Bitter tones creak and scrape where the mood is more withdrawn while entangled harmonic clouds sustain and shift through lighter regions. Crystaline patterns of synthesizer blips careening across a glistening polar icecap slow against the stillness of hibernating drones and dripping icicles of sound. In a world of two dimensional realities, Peck's music is nuanced and lifelike. He does a great job of portraying cold conditions, based on both the literal arctic regions of the planet and the isolation of reluctant solitude.
- Chuck van Zyl/STAR'S END 5 April 2007
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"...all the pieces flow into one another give the CD a very cohesive feel."
author: Jonathan Block
"It lives up to its title. Overall it has an "On Land" vibe, but you'll need your coat. It's easy to visualize floating on a glacier as your listening to this music. The first couple of tracks remind me of an icy night journey, while the third track (A Past Reflected) is slightly less dark and seems to be the sunrise over the cold landscape. But the absolute masterpiece of this disc is track 4 (A Cognitive Chaos). A Synergy-like single synth sequence emerges out of track 3, which soon gives way to some nice majestic chordal pads, wrapping up after another 8 minutes with the intro sequence sound. A very nice piece indeed. Track 5 (Starving the Silence) and the first part of track 6 (The Impending Solitude) are almost scary, but the last half of The Impending Solitude is beautiful ambience and melts into another masterpiece, Debris From a Thousand Landscapes, which is built around a nice rhythmic sequence that supports some very mellow pads and darting sound. A processed drum line emerges to add some more movement to this piece. Another killer track. The journey wraps up with Ghost Psalm, which is another ambient composition that fits the title of this disc well.
I've enjoyed Mike's work with Mark Mahoney, and it's nice to hear him solo. Although "A Cognitive Chaos" and "Debris From a Thousand Landscapes" are my favorite tracks on this disc, the way that all the pieces flow into one another give the CD a very cohesive feel. A plus is the great sound; the disc was mastered by Art Cohen. A great disc overall.
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