Brian McBride - The Effective Disconnect (Kranky)
Delicately balanced between drone and melody, The Effective Disconnect is the latest recording from Brian McBride, better known as one half of electronica duo Stars of the Lid. Here, he composes a slow-building soundtrack for documentary Vanishing of the Bees. Suitably filmic, these eleven micro-suites are dominated by plaintive piano, sweeping strings and twinkling melodies.
Released Mar 7th, 2011 via Kranky / By Simon Harper

There are elements of light and shade complementing each other within the same suite – ‘Beekeepers vs Warfare Chemicals’ is part lullaby and part lament, illustrating McBride’s dual approach; alternately uplifting and desolate, he habitually glides into more poignant territory. It makes for a very minimal listen, even on the more notably baroque pieces such as closing track ‘Chamber Minuet’.
The Effective Disconnect might lack the drama of Clint Mansell’s scores for Darren Aronofsky films, but that’s because this music has been composed for an entirely different cinematic experience. Exquisitely paced and meticulously layered, it’s a subtle yet evocative collection of musical cues which work just as elegantly on their own, without visual accompaniment.
Follow Bearded on...