Shimmering, Warm and Bright 1992

"Shimmering, Warm and Bright is norwegian band Bel Canto's third release, and it was issued way back in 1992. It was also their first release without electronica wizard Geir Jensen (aka Biosphere) in the group, which resulted in a slight change of musical style, and what is probably their most commercially successful release ever.

Musically this album is solidly placed in the world of electronica. Analogue instruments can be heard throughout the album, but the most important and defining sounds in the soundscape here are electronic. There are really two kinds of songs on this album. Some songs are a bit up-tempo, often with a thumping bass line being the defining rhythm instruments in those songs, and with highly melodic patterns being weaved with electronic and analogue instruments to create a dreamy atmosphere; often underlined with a floating synth. Other songs are very mellow, with at most slight use of rhythmical patterns, and with dreamy and often sad sounding synths being the dominant instrument besides the voice of Anneli Drecker. Mellow, dreamy, melancholy and slightly sad sounding is as good a description as any of this album in general.

As for the individual songs here, all of them are good. There are differences in rhythms, tempo and style en masse here, but all of the songs are mesmerizing and captivating.

Personal Highlights: Summer, Shimmering Warm and Bright, Le Temps dégagé"