Morning of the World
“Nothing is permanent in this world, not even our troubles.” – Charlie Chaplin
Impermanence has never been more applicable a term to third-generation California native Robert Scott Thompson’s recent output. On “Morning Of The World” dizzying variance paints pretty pictures that play with time differentials in relation to weather. Of course, the elements makes up a large portion of our world. With a temperance activating vital solitude and solemnity on Tai Chi-lite opener “(Lattice Crossing)”, Thompson treads across a musical Equator with equilibrium between pacing and instrumental porosity.
While the underlying schematic of the universe may be vast, the world alone is vast enough. This shrinking paradox is perplexing for the listener in Thompson’s hands. We are taken right back to the 80’s on “(Landscape Vista)”, with the approximate but not obstructionist tension from the earthy ethereality of that era tied to the omnipresence of the minor chord. Minors in musical terms they may be, giving Robert’s tracks their unsettling core when they could be tranquil. Minor in visual imagery and overall portent they aren’t, however.
I found this to be an all-round delight of an album. Departing from one of the ambient highlights of last year, “Arcana” (on Relaxed Machinery label), Thompson knows how to reinvent his dot matrix so it pokes into almost impossible worlds. Perhaps that world is one for another lifetime, but for now “Morning Of The World” is a great enough wake-up call.