review of the new album from the Synthtopia website:

( http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2007/04/18/parallel-worlds-obsessive-surrealism/#more-3022
)

"Obsessive Surrealism, the latest CD by Parallel
Worlds, is a synth lover's dream.

The release is the fourth CD by Parallel Worlds, the
first on the DIN label. We've been impressed by
previous DIN releases, and Obsessive Surrealism is no
exception. The CD is a dense blend of very
electronic-sounding elements with very
organic-sounding ones.

Parallel Worlds is the performing name for Greek
musician Bakis Sirros. He's been active in the Greek
music scene for about 10 years, and has performed at a
variety of electronic music events. He's also
collaborated with other musicians on other projects,
including Interconnected (IDM) and Memory Geist
(ambient/experimental).

Bakis' music on this CD emphasisizes synthesis, using
electronic gear and software to create new sounds and
effects. His music is melodic and is very effective at
creating various moods, but what really sets it apart
is Bakis' creative sound work.

Bakis puts a huge variety of gear to use, including:
Doepfer A100 modular, Analogue Systems RS-Integrator
modular, Technosaurus System D modular, modified EMS
VCS-3 x2), ARP 2600, Odyssey, Roland System 100,
System 100m, modified Oberheim 2-voice, Korg MS50,
MS20, SQ10, Trident, PE1000, Analogue Solutions
Concussor modular, modified TR606, Nord modular,
JP8000, Microwave XT, MS2000R, S750, Emax 2, Korg ES1,
Roland Space Echo, Korg SE500 and additional sound
manipulators.

While this is an impressive gear list, Bakis appears
to be most interested in wringing the most out of
traditional synthesis. As a result, the music doesn't
sound like the result of intense studio editing, but
more like he's captured studio performances.

The music itself is pure synth music, leaning towards
the dark ambient. It shares some elements with synth
artists of the 70's, but also with the work of
contemporary synth music masters, like Robert Rich and
Ian Boddy. The pieces are relatively short soundscapes
that emphasize sequenced elements, along with
synth-strings, "vocal" pads and quirky glitch
percussion effects.

In addition to the creative sound design, Bakis makes
very effective use of stereo space; listening to the
CD on a set of monitors revealed the depth of the
music's range, while listening on earbuds highlighted
a lot of creative stereo effects.

One of the highlights of the CD is the track
Increasing Complexity. At its heart, it's a simple
melodic sequence on piano. Bakis treats the piano so
that it's muted and bathed in reverb, giving it an
distant, underwater sound reminiscent of the piano
effects on Brian Eno & Harold Budd's collaborations.
Over this, Bakis layers strange echoing birdlike
noises, synthesized percussion effects, a sequenced
bassline and evolving synth pads, building the piece
to a dense jungle of sound. By the end, the piano
fragment that holds things together has almost
disappeared, leaving just the organic synth effects.

Another great track is Pale Yellow Sky. Like
Increasing Complexity, the track uses a minimal
melodic fragment as a framework for organizing a
collection of uneasy sounds. Halfway through the
track, the music dies down to almost nothing, focusing
your attention on water-drip percussive effects,
before building up again. Towards the end of the
track, the melodic elements die out, leaving just
drones, effects and ambience. Throughout,
Bakis frequently shifts the focus of the music from
background to foreground and back, highlighting the
layers of creativity in the mix.

Parallel Worlds' Obsessive Surrealism is full of very
original sound design, but also makes effective use of
synth music staples like sequences, synth-strings and
vocal pads. The combination draws you quickly into the
pieces, where the depth of the music's quirkiness
slowly reveals itself. Highly recommended."



Bakis Sirros - Parallel Worlds / Interconnected / Memory Geist
1 group owner
http://www.parallel-worlds-music.com
http://www.myspace.com/parallelworldsmusic
http://www.myspace.com/interconnectedmusic
http://www.myspace.com/memorygeist
http://www.DiN.org.uk
http://www.shimarecords.co.uk
http://www.rubber.gr
Athens-Greece

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