The Album Club: "So Flows the Current" by Patrick O'Hearn
 

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In the light of the general unavailability of Ant's pick for this week, here is his choice as a replacement for that album. Please do NOT vote on the Asturias album. I'll ask for that thread to be closed.

Patrick O’Hearn- So Flows the Current (2001)

Best Tracks: So Flows the Current, Panning the Sands,

Weakest Tracks: Beyond This Moment, Like So Much Lost Time


Well, at least I can say it’s consistent. It’s not terrible by any means but it isn’t really all that exciting either. I can see why a New Age enthusiast would like this album though. As for me, a New Age album has to be special like Vollenweider’s Down To the Moon. This album is certainly listenable for me, but I doubt if I’d put it in my music collection. On the bright side, I did find this on Spotify :D



5/10 (the Word has spoken :D)

I've just begun listening to this album. My initial impression: This sounds like one of those relaxation CDs you can buy at a Bob Evan's restaurant.

It's an ambient record with some post-rock sensibilities here and there. He's one of the best in the bidnessz. :)

This isn't too far off from what I listen to, however slightly different. I am a fan of Wixel - formed by the Belgium artist, Wim Maesschalck. I had zero expectations finding anything in The Album Club 2017 that I would like, but I think this album made an exception. I think I would want to listen to this album more than once.

Patrick O'Hearn - So Flows The Current (Full Album, 2001)

I think I've found the album that I'll be listening to semi regularly. I've given the album a bit of a listen and I gotta say, I'm loving it. It's right up my alley. Nice one, Ant.

I listen to a fair amount of ambient, drone, and New Age music. I’m familiar with this artist and the cover for this record is recognizable. I remember it. I like a couple later releases better: Slow Time and Glaciation. I think this is common because ambient music has become so abstract that these guys feel liberated from traditional melodic structures.

Still I really like this record. The melodies don’t reach out to me like William Ackerman’s for example and sometimes they’re kind of distracting. Nonetheless it’s a good record. Great production. Relaxing and pretty. I like it.

To be quite honest, it's very relaxing album. I came home from work, put on the album, and I fell asleep listening to it.

Any sort of familiarity with this album/artist, or are both entirely new to you? None at all
Expectations (if any): I'm kind of sorry Ant had to change his pick, but I trust his musical taste so I'm hoping this might be really good.
Initial impression: Very nice, very atmospheric, very laid back and ambient. Stunningly beautiful guitar. Great start.
Favourite track(s): “A Lovely Place To Be”, “So Flows the Current”, “The Cold Sea's Embrace” - pretty much everything really.
Least favourite track(s): n/a
Overall impression: Totally superb
Chances of listening to further material from this artist? Definitely will
Rating (not mandatory): 10/10
Comments: A beautiful experience from start to finish. Guitar on the opener is sublime, mournful cellos on “The Cold Sea's Embrace” chilling, atmosphere at times dark and disturbing, at others light and uplifting. “Along the Waterfront” sounds strangely familiar. Not a bad track at all here. First class all the way.

Fun fact: Patrick O'Hearn was Frank Zappa's bassist from '76 through '79.