SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: cEvin Key AND THE SUBCONSCIOUS ELECTRONIC ORCHESTRA – RESONANCE

cEvin Key And The Subconscious Electronic Orchestra
Resonance
Artoffact

cEvin Key’s fifth solo album, Resonance (formerly X̱wáýx̱way), is released on Toronto’s Artoffact Records.

The album consists of 12 electronic tracks, some instrumental and some with vocals or music accompaniment provided by individual members of the Subconscious Electronic Orchestra (a list of guests that includes the likes of Edward KaSpel of the Legendary Pink Dots and The Tear Garden – a collaboration between Key and KaSpel – and eight others), and was recorded at Vancouver’s Subconscious Studios.

There is definitely no denying a similarity to Skinny Puppy’s sound, particularly on the intro to “Thirteen” and “Orange Dragonfly”, as well as in his use of samples, which comes as no surprise, considering Key’s being one of the band’s cofounders. However, this album definitely has his own stylistic spin.

Stand-out tracks include “Anger is an Acid”, featuring the haunting vocals of IAMX (Sneaker Pimps’ vocalist Chris Corner……wow, what vocal range…) laid down over a slow, deliberate, electronic soundscape and “Night Flower”, which has KaSpel taking the lead on a song that has a deliberate melancholy feel, which is improved by the vocal effects.

Overall, the album reminds me of somewhat of a collaboration between a modern-day Hunter S. Thompson and Dr. Timothy Leary might yield. There are definite psychedelic overtures, but certainly not on every song. A unique effort that only Key could produce.

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