Thursday, January 21, 2010

Phil Kline's Around the World in a Daze: "Best of the Year" at American Record Guide

Phil Kline's Around the World in a Daze release has been selected for American Record Guide's "Best of the Year" listing by Kraig Lamper. In his original review, Lamper wrote:
"Pennies from Heaven, an 18-minute layering of bell sounds, shows why more pieces should be recorded in surround sound. Becoming utterly engulfed by bells too numerous to count, all playing descending lines with mixed rhythms, syncopations, and stresses, borders on the mathematical sublime."
During 2009, Daze collected impressive reviews:
“A set of sensational études.”
– Justin Davidson, New York Magazine

“An electro-acoustic DVD extravaganza.”
– Anne Midgette, Washington Post

“An audio-visual feast that balances hipster zen with the seriousness of Bach and Wagner.”
– Russell Platt, The New Yorker

“Mr. Kline, the electronic experimenter who deploys fleets of boomboxes to achieve his preferred textures, is hard at work.”
– Allan Kozinn, New York Times

“This adventurous music... ranges widely from ambient recordings that are surprisingly musical, to complex constructions that emerge as lyrical.”
– Kalman Rubinson, Stereophile

“It fascinates, engages, and, often, moves... Kline’s pieces transport the hearer from their listening space to imaginary vistas that envelope, even overwhelm.”
– Christian Carey, Sequenza21

“Overwhelming... Truly a remarkable sonic experience.”
– John Sunier, Audiophile Audition

“Congratulations to Starkland for releasing this extraordinary and well-documented release.”
– Dolf Mulder, Vital Weekly
Read more about this first-of-its-kind Starkland release.

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