Interested in drifting to another world or into another mood? Here are reviews of a few musical aides:
STEVE ROACH; "The Magnificent Void" (Hearts of Space). * * 1/2"Void" is a word that says so much about nothing. Destitute, clear or free; not occupied by matter, empty - these are just few of the entries listed under that dictionary heading.
Steve Roach, who not only performs this concept album but wrote all the tracks, gives the word "void" a meandering feel.
Opening with the vast exploration of "Between the Gray and the Purple," he takes the listener by the mind and flies through inner space. All the cuts merge into each other, so those hearing the ambience can feel the recording as one major trip.
"Void Memory One," "Two" and "Three" are scattered among the swirling "Infinite Shore," the hazy "Cloud of Unknowing" and the title track. Every dynamic burst and draping fizzle brings to mind the lost horizon of space, though the arrangements are very musical.
This one is for those who have time to sit and drift (you really need to pay attention to the music if you want to catch the moves); otherwise, this one isn't for you.
- Scott Iwasaki
MOJAVE 3; "Ask Me Tomorrow" (4AD/Warner Bros.). * * 1/2
As minimal acoustic albums (with vocals) go, Mojave 3 stands strong. But as with a lot of bands that head in that direction, style becomes an excuse to become a little redundant.
Still, for what it's worth, "Ask Me Tomorrow" is a pleasant way to spend a rainy day.
Slide guitars, piano and ethereal vocals are the main draws to the album. Though this is Mojave 3's first under that name, others might recognize the band by another: Slow-dive.
The stripped-down musicality and the departure of two other band members caused the two core members - guitarist Neil Hal-stead and vocalist Rachel Goswell - to change the band's name.
"Love Songs on the Radio" opens the album with a dreamlike atmosphere. The mood continues through "Sarah" and "Tomorrow's Taken."
The mood somewhat shifts when the album gets to the waltz-duet of "Candle Song." While the wisping arrangements are still heard, the mood is a lightened a little. When Halstead takes over on lead vocals on "You're Beautiful," the texture shifts again, though the overall otherworldly spirit remains.
Some may find Mohave 3's style inner search-worthy and awakening - while others might simply relax too much and snore.
- Scott Iwasaki
RATINGS: four stars (* * * * ), excellent; three stars (* * * ), good; two stars (* * ), fair; one star (* ), poor, with 1/2 representing a higher, intermediate grade.