All 15 pieces of positive feedback so far...
Reviews:
The first three tracks on this LP were sent in as my only second demo for Nightshift (http://www.nightshift.oxfordmusic.net). They have an amusing, interesting World Cup spin this month (June 2014) and I only lost to the winner ( indicablues.bandcamp.com ) Indica Blues. Here's what Nightshift said:
"Microtonal fluctuations lend an often eerie sense of foreboding, like the sinister grey undulations of the sea in Ring. Sort of a cross between Mountain and Vangelis, Mick Buckingham, who is Foci's Left, allows each piece to flow and run its course..."
"After that first round many would have seen this pairing as a good final, but them's the luck of the draw and it's two very different forms of uncompromising noise that go head to head in the first semi. Foci's Left look menacing in their all-black strip, with just a faint gold trim around the collar. The subtle approach - all short neat passes - looks like its making little impact toward the opposition goal but it's deceptively sharp and even what might seem like misplaced balls feel like they're meant to be. Indica Blues, though, have no truck with such intricacy, playing solos so epic and heroic they make The Battle Of The Helms Deep look like a spot of handbags in the centre circle during an Accrington vs Hartlepool match. It's the serpent against the behemoth. A titanic conflict that threatens to blot out the sun ends with the behemoth triumphant.
Score: Foci's Left 2, Indica Blues 3."
"Just started listening to this and liking it. I've always been a fan of the squelchy, feedbacky, tritoneish, synthamabobs (sorry don't know the technical terms for them) so this is right on my spectrum.
Rating = :twothumbsup:" ~ MetaLX, http://www.subvertcentral.com member, Hawaiian http://www.itstooloud.com internet radio DJ and reggae and dub fanatic.
"Pathological Darkness is such a bold track and the beautiful aggressive soundscapes creates a really cool atmosphere. LOL I was playing so loud last night..." ~ Simon Bean, Omni Music (http://www.omnimusic.org)
"Just listened to this on a journey across London. Beautiful, evolving, soundscapes, A sonic Journey!"~ DJ Trax (Moving Shadow as Mixrace with Dev Paradox, had 2 tracks on the soundtrack to Shifty, a drama film shown nationwide in the UK and on television 2 years after - http://www.djtrax.org)
"Hey Mick. I was just flicking through your Bandcamp. 'Anything Becomes Possible With Time' is awesome bro. I can't explain how awesome it is, I'm really feeling it." ~ 247, Futurepast Fanzine ed. (twitter.com/futurepastzine)
"The long track is great, as well as those which concentrate on soundscaping. But (as you'd probably expect
) I don't like the vocal tracks at all. Anyway, just because I don't like the vocal tracks doesn't mean other people won't". ~ Jonathan Tait, Subvert Central Recordings owner (http://www.subvertcentral.blogspot.com) and published letter writer in The Wire 2013 concerning Meredith Monk.
"Thanks for that download and can say this after I listened to it: It is much better and several tracks I liked in it! I can say your music style reminds me of David Wise´s work in the Donkey Kong Country games." ~ Peter Olsson, Swedish metal lover.
"Overall it seems you're still searching for a sound, but tracks 1-4, 8 and 10 are the way to go in my opinion. Of course you should not really adapt based on one person's opinion ~ better to collect a group of opinions and go from there!" ~ Richard Allen, http://www.acloserlisten.com editor and central writer.
"Marvelous Stuff Mr. Mick sir
" ~ Chris Wright, aka Eschaton, Omni Music label owner. (http://www.omnimusic.org)
"I really like it. Just on track 10 now. It has kept my attention all the way through. As a whole album the way it moves from dark bleak industrial / sci-fi soundscape through to a much more contemplative place by the end I really like." ~ James Shiva, Bitrate Music owner (http://www.bitratemusic.com)
"I listened. And this remind me even more of The Residents. But much much more spooky. Some scary atmospheres in this one. I notice something interesting in your tracks. You don't start slowly and build the tracks - like most of the ambient/drone artists - but instead from the start you insert the listener into your soundscapes. Eternal Sands (The Shapeshifters Reprise) I like the most so far." ~ Kristian (Fyhwds), Noise For Blues For Noise artist.
"Listening to 'Pathological Darkness' right now - really liking it.
Like how the brighter synth emerges [1:08] as the track progresses but still with the darker sounds infiltrating the mix. It does really make you feel like you're inside a gloomy, distracted mind. Given the title, that's mission accomplished." ~ Code, Subtle Audio owner (http://www.subtleaudiorecordings.com), working with Mary Anne Hobbs & Aphex Twin to promote the imprint's music.
"I like the sound design going on" ~ Nic TVG, Pinecone Moonshine owner (Macc, Icarus, et al - http://www.pineconemoonshine.com).
"Very interesting music for someone with a passing interest in this genre. Tiny echoes of Oneohtrix Point Never at times, and overall industrial feel to the sound design and a very melancholic feel to every track. What I will say is it's the best piece of music I've heard from you. Not all completely my cuppa but some great great moments in there.
I felt inspired enough after listening to see if I can get some free running ambient going on my Monomachine - not a synth that lends itself to such music.
Good work Mick!." ~ Matt Wilsh (Uncertified Music - uncertifiedmusic.bandcamp.com)
"I want to remix some of these hahaha... I actually have a few of your tracks I think from some releases that came out last year. I have been digging your production for a while, but your ambiance is DOPE! I would love to mess around with it lol... Solid stuff " ~ Mizeyesis, Threshold DNB & http://www.jungletrain.net radio show host.
Reviews:
The first three tracks on this LP were sent in as my only second demo for Nightshift (http://www.nightshift.oxfordmusic.net). They have an amusing, interesting World Cup spin this month (June 2014) and I only lost to the winner ( indicablues.bandcamp.com ) Indica Blues. Here's what Nightshift said:
"Microtonal fluctuations lend an often eerie sense of foreboding, like the sinister grey undulations of the sea in Ring. Sort of a cross between Mountain and Vangelis, Mick Buckingham, who is Foci's Left, allows each piece to flow and run its course..."
"After that first round many would have seen this pairing as a good final, but them's the luck of the draw and it's two very different forms of uncompromising noise that go head to head in the first semi. Foci's Left look menacing in their all-black strip, with just a faint gold trim around the collar. The subtle approach - all short neat passes - looks like its making little impact toward the opposition goal but it's deceptively sharp and even what might seem like misplaced balls feel like they're meant to be. Indica Blues, though, have no truck with such intricacy, playing solos so epic and heroic they make The Battle Of The Helms Deep look like a spot of handbags in the centre circle during an Accrington vs Hartlepool match. It's the serpent against the behemoth. A titanic conflict that threatens to blot out the sun ends with the behemoth triumphant.
Score: Foci's Left 2, Indica Blues 3."
"Just started listening to this and liking it. I've always been a fan of the squelchy, feedbacky, tritoneish, synthamabobs (sorry don't know the technical terms for them) so this is right on my spectrum.
Rating = :twothumbsup:" ~ MetaLX, http://www.subvertcentral.com member, Hawaiian http://www.itstooloud.com internet radio DJ and reggae and dub fanatic.
"Pathological Darkness is such a bold track and the beautiful aggressive soundscapes creates a really cool atmosphere. LOL I was playing so loud last night..." ~ Simon Bean, Omni Music (http://www.omnimusic.org)
"Just listened to this on a journey across London. Beautiful, evolving, soundscapes, A sonic Journey!"~ DJ Trax (Moving Shadow as Mixrace with Dev Paradox, had 2 tracks on the soundtrack to Shifty, a drama film shown nationwide in the UK and on television 2 years after - http://www.djtrax.org)
"Hey Mick. I was just flicking through your Bandcamp. 'Anything Becomes Possible With Time' is awesome bro. I can't explain how awesome it is, I'm really feeling it." ~ 247, Futurepast Fanzine ed. (twitter.com/futurepastzine)
"The long track is great, as well as those which concentrate on soundscaping. But (as you'd probably expect
) I don't like the vocal tracks at all. Anyway, just because I don't like the vocal tracks doesn't mean other people won't". ~ Jonathan Tait, Subvert Central Recordings owner (http://www.subvertcentral.blogspot.com) and published letter writer in The Wire 2013 concerning Meredith Monk."Thanks for that download and can say this after I listened to it: It is much better and several tracks I liked in it! I can say your music style reminds me of David Wise´s work in the Donkey Kong Country games." ~ Peter Olsson, Swedish metal lover.
"Overall it seems you're still searching for a sound, but tracks 1-4, 8 and 10 are the way to go in my opinion. Of course you should not really adapt based on one person's opinion ~ better to collect a group of opinions and go from there!" ~ Richard Allen, http://www.acloserlisten.com editor and central writer.
"Marvelous Stuff Mr. Mick sir
" ~ Chris Wright, aka Eschaton, Omni Music label owner. (http://www.omnimusic.org)"I really like it.
Just on track 10 now. It has kept my attention all the way through. As a whole album the way it moves from dark bleak industrial / sci-fi soundscape through to a much more contemplative place by the end I really like." ~ James Shiva, Bitrate Music owner (http://www.bitratemusic.com)"I listened. And this remind me even more of The Residents. But much much more spooky. Some scary atmospheres in this one. I notice something interesting in your tracks. You don't start slowly and build the tracks - like most of the ambient/drone artists - but instead from the start you insert the listener into your soundscapes. Eternal Sands (The Shapeshifters Reprise) I like the most so far." ~ Kristian (Fyhwds), Noise For Blues For Noise artist.
"Listening to 'Pathological Darkness' right now - really liking it.
Like how the brighter synth emerges [1:08] as the track progresses but still with the darker sounds infiltrating the mix. It does really make you feel like you're inside a gloomy, distracted mind. Given the title, that's mission accomplished." ~ Code, Subtle Audio owner (http://www.subtleaudiorecordings.com), working with Mary Anne Hobbs & Aphex Twin to promote the imprint's music.
"I like the sound design going on" ~ Nic TVG, Pinecone Moonshine owner (Macc, Icarus, et al - http://www.pineconemoonshine.com).
"Very interesting music for someone with a passing interest in this genre. Tiny echoes of Oneohtrix Point Never at times, and overall industrial feel to the sound design and a very melancholic feel to every track. What I will say is it's the best piece of music I've heard from you. Not all completely my cuppa but some great great moments in there.
I felt inspired enough after listening to see if I can get some free running ambient going on my Monomachine - not a synth that lends itself to such music.
Good work Mick!." ~ Matt Wilsh (Uncertified Music - uncertifiedmusic.bandcamp.com)
"I want to remix some of these hahaha... I actually have a few of your tracks I think from some releases that came out last year. I have been digging your production for a while, but your ambiance is DOPE! I would love to mess around with it lol... Solid stuff " ~ Mizeyesis, Threshold DNB & http://www.jungletrain.net radio show host.