Mark Van Hoen – Where is the Truth

There are other moments where a grander, more mainstream sound is evoked.

There are other moments where a grander, more mainstream sound is evoked.

http://www.city-centre-offices.de http://www.konkurrent.nl

A beautiful release, a very relaxed (as most City Centre Offices release seem to be) and spacious ambient record. There are times where the spirit of Eno is being invoked (the opener Put My Trust in You seems to hark back to classic early ambient moments on Another Green World or his work with Cluster).

There are other moments where a grander, more mainstream sound is evoked. Where is The Truth sounds like a perfectly reasonable standard slice of synth pop, albeit with a lush, intelligent feel about it. She’s Selda is a mysterious song, propelled by a shuffling beat and dreamy vocals. It also nearly dissolves into a bath of electronic noise half way through. And Your Voice is as poppy as the LP gets, though it’s still in thrall to the mysterious vibe that enshrouds all the “straighter “songs.

It shouldn’t be surprising that there are mood pieces a-plenty: Yourself mopes about very pleasantly, whilst Beautiful lives up to its name (whilst sampling the guitar line from British Sea Power’s Oh Larsen B). Elsewhere tracks like 1979 and I Need Silence stick around long enough to make us wish they stuck around a little longer. I Need Silence boasts the most beautiful guitar lick outside a Velvet Underground song; it really turns the track on its head…

Overall a very good listen if you’re feeling spaced out.